New Year / Fresh Start

There is perhaps no better time than the start of a new year to get a fresh start on your finances!  From your credit score to your credit cards to your retirement plan, now is the time to sit down, take stock of where you are, and make a plan to get to where you want to be by the end of 2021.
Not sure what your credit score is?  If you are not sure what your credit score is, then you know exactly where to start, don’t you?  You can get your credit score, and in most cases, your credit report for free online in any one of a dozen or more places.  From your bank to your credit cards, nearly every financial institution is offering free access these day.
Once you have that information in hand, sit down and review it completely.  Are all of the accounts listed on the report yours?  What is your credit score?  What can you do to improve your score?  Make a list. Then, move on to the next step.
Take a look at your credit cards.  Are the balances too high?  Experts recommend that you keep the balances on your credit cards below 33% in order to maintain your credit score.  If your credit card balances are above this threshold, paying them down should be a top priority.  Once you’ve looked at your balances, then it’s time to look at your interest rates.  Are you paying too much interest each month?  Perhaps your credit has improved over the past year, and you’ve gone from bad credit to fair credit, or fair to good.  If that’s the case, there may be better options than your current credit card providers, enabling you to save money on interest.  You may even qualify for a balance transfer card with a 0% introductory rate.  But you will never know unless you compare those credit cards to others that are out there.

Finally, take a look at your budget.  Where can you cut expenses?  Where can you save money?  How much more could you put into savings each week or month?  Even though 2020 was a really difficult year for all of us, getting a fresh start in 2021 may be easier than you think.  You just have to start somewhere.  Are you ready for a fresh start?

Ready for Summer?

Now that Spring Break is behind most of us, it’s time to start thinking about summer!  That’s right, summer!  And you know what summer means?

SUMMER VACATION!

Wait.  You’re not sure you’re going to be able to take a vacation this year?  You’re still working on your budget?  Trying to figure out how you will afford a vacation this summer? If that sounds like you, we might just have something that can help you save enough money to take that vacation!

In fact, we might just be able to help you save a lot of money.  It all depends on where you are right now in your finances.  Although most people don’t realize it, one of the easiest ways to save money is by cutting interest rates on credit cards.  That’s right.  If you can cut your interest rate, take advantage of an introductory 0% interest rate, or get just the right rewards card, you can save money without even trying!  No cutting back on anything.  No doing without.  Almost NOTHING changes, except you’ll either have more money in your pocket each month OR you’ll pay those credit cards off much sooner.  Either way, you’re saving money, or earning rewards!

Still not convinced?  Why not let us help you decide?

Credit Cards & Catalogs

Well, the season is here again! If your mailbox is like mine, every day it is stuffed with both catalogs and credit card offers.

Buy now! Pay later! 15 months interest free! Pre-approved! Save money on interest!

But before you fill those credit card applications out, you might just want to sit down at your computer and compare what exactly you would be getting when you sign up for that new credit card.

Are you getting the best possible interest rate for your credit score? Remember, most of those mailers are based at least partly on the demographics for your area, meaning that it’s not just your credit that is considered, but also that of your neighbors, and other people around you.

Are there hidden fees? Is the length of the balance transfer offer the best one available for your particular credit score range? Read the fine print carefully. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of credit card companies charging a monthly usage fee as opposed to an annual fee, especially if you’re in the lower tiers of the credit score ranges. That monthly usage fee could apply even if you don’t carry a balance on your card.

Are you absolutely certain that the offer is legitimate? Sadly, some of the credit card offers that you receive in your mailbox could very well be identity theft scams masquerading as credit card offers. Before you fill out any application (mail-in or online), verify the source!

Here at Fresh Start Card Offers, ALL of our online applications link directly to the credit card, catalog, or loan provider, so you can be sure that your personal information is safe!

Budget Your Way to a Fresh Start

 The fastest way that I know of to get a real fresh start on your financial life is to build a realistic budget and then stick to it!

  • Housing (rent or mortgage)
  • Insurance premiums
  • Car payment
  • Utilities
  • Child care costs
  • Debt payments (credit cards, personal loans, etc.)
  • Car and home maintenance

Then, list the expenses that you have some control over, that may change from month to month:

  • Groceries
  • Savings
  • Medical costs
  • Monthly fees and subscriptions
  • Gifts  (Christmas, birthday, etc.)
  • Entertainment

For those expenses that fall outside your normal weekly or monthly budget, you’ll want to be sure to set some money aside so that you are able to pay them when the time comes.  For example, if you pay your homeowner’s insurance annually, you’ll need to save a certain amount of money each time that you get paid for your homeowner’s premium.  (Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll save for it later or that you’ll come up with it somewhere – you won’t!)

Now, you’ve listed your income and your expenses.  The difference between your income and your expenses is your net gain or loss.  If your income is greater than your expenses, then you can probably save a little more or have a little extra spending money.  But, if your expenses outweigh your income, then you need to be looking for ways to cut corners.  Clip coupons on groceries, cancel the upper tier cable channels, skip dinner out once or twice a month, or if you’re seriously in the hole, you may decide that you need to find a second job or an additional source of income.  Whatever your financial situation – you cannot do anything about it until you’re aware of it!

Don’t just stop with the budget!

Now that you’ve made a budget, and you’re well aware of your true financial situation, don’t just walk away from it.  Pay attention to your spending.  Sit down each and every month and study your receipts.  How does your actual spending compare to your budget?  Are there places where you can cut corners?  And are there places where you underestimated the expenses and need to readjust your numbers?  The more you begin to pay attention to your spending, the more that you’ll notice when you overspend, and you’ll find that you will subconsciously start to live within your means very quickly.

Fortunately, with so many free tools available today, you can easily keep track of your budget on your phone, your laptop, or even with an old fashioned pen and paper.  Whichever way you choose, just be consistent.  Sit down, study your income and your expenses, pay your bills, and start putting back any excess for that emergency fund.  You’ll be surprised by how quickly you can get your finances under control if you just work at it!

 

Everyone Needs a Fresh Start Sometimes

Although you might think this website is directed toward those individuals who have less than perfect credit, that’s not necessarily the case. Even people with perfect credit can sometimes get in over their heads. You know what I mean… you overspend at Christmas, you have a financial emergency, lose your job, or simply get carried away because your excellent credit offers you so many credit options!

Before you know it, your monthly minimum payments are eating away at your cash, and money gets really tight. Even though you’re still making those minimum payments, the interest is killing you, and its nearly impossible to get anything paid off. Yep, you could really use a fresh start, couldn’t you?

If your credit card bills are out of control, there are several things that you can do that won’t ruin your excellent credit.

Probably the easiest option is to transfer the balance (or balances) to a new lower or even a no interest credit card with a 15 to 18 month promotional period. This will not only lower your monthly payment, but it will also stop the interest from accumulating on the balances that you transfer. Just be careful and pay the new card balance down before the promotional period expires or the deferred interest may be added to the balance.

Equally as importantly, don’t charge anything on the cards that now have a zero balance or you’ll soon find yourself with even less cash in your monthly budget!

The other option that you might want to consider is a personal loan.  These loan providers specialize in personal loans to individuals who are determined to pay off credit cards, student loans, and other debts.  The interest rate is typically much lower than that on your credit cards, so you’ll not only cut your monthly payments, but you could save hundreds or even thousands in interest.

Whichever way you choose to go, you’ll save money and pay those bills off sooner.  Get your fresh start today!

 

 

Get a Fresh Start with Fingerhut

Need to get a fresh start on your credit right now?  Looking for a fast, easy way to get that fresh start?

One of the hardest things about improving your credit score is having the patience to wait the months and sometimes years that it can take to dig yourself out of the credit “hole” that you’re in, and even worse, it seems like no one will give you the credit you need to actually begin the process of rebuilding your payment history, available credit, and so forth.  It can be an agonizing process… and you can’t afford not to get it right the first time.  (Every time you try for a credit card and are rejected, your score can drop even more!)

Not an Access Card

Rather than take the risk of dinging your credit report for credit cards that you can’t get approved for, why not get that fresh start today with a Fingerhut Credit Account.  That’s right, Fingerhut Credit normally approves almost everyone for an account, and in the event that you don’t get approved right away, they may even offer you a special Fingerhut “Fresh Start” account.  So, either way, with Fingerhut, you’ll only have one credit inquiry on your account.  And at a time when every point matters, that single credit inquiry means a lot.

Once you are approved for a Fingerhut Credit account, you’ll want to use it sparingly and wisely.  Keep your balance around 30% of your total credit availability and make every payment on time, every time.  These are the two most critical areas of your credit report.  Total credit availability and payment history count for about 30% of your credit score EACH.  So, if you use your Fingerhut account properly, you can see significant improvement in your credit score relatively quickly because Fingerhut reports your credit availability and your regular payment history to the credit bureaus EVERY MONTH.  And these days your credit scores are updated several times a month, so every payment, every inquiry, and every purchase you make matters!

Even better, Fingerhut is literally one of the best companies when it comes to credit line increases, special no interest purchases, and super sales!  If you sign up for Fingerhut and you use your account regularly (and wisely), you’ll be amazed at the offers that you’ll get via email and regular mail.  (I recently qualified for their “Major Purchase Program,” where you can buy all new furniture, pay it off in a certain amount of time, and pay little or no interest!)

And the merchandise… there are literally hundreds of thousands of name brand, competitively priced products on their website.  Everything from clothing, shoes, jewelry, and appliances to rugs, linens, and yes, furniture for every room in your house!

When you consider all of the advantages to using Fingerhut to jumpstart your credit score, why wouldn’t you want to open a Fingerhut Credit Account?

Get the credit you deserve and save $50 on your first order of $200 or more with a new Fingerhut Credit Account. Use promo code NC361. Limited Time Only. Offer Ends Soon.  Apply now for a Fingerhut Credit Account issued by WebBank

The Top Two Ways to Get a Fresh Start!

Need a fresh start on your credit but can’t qualify for a major credit card?

If you’ve had a severe financial setback, getting the credit that you need can be nearly impossible.  You know that you need to work on your credit score, but no one will give you credit… it’s a never ending circle.  You need credit to work on your credit score, but no one will give you credit, and every time you apply for a card and get rejected, it lowers your credit score a few more points!

How will you ever get the fresh start that you need to start rebuilding your credit?

Believe it or not, you can get that fresh start that you need, and it’s not nearly as hard as you think.  There are two ways that you can still get credit when it seems like no one will give you credit.  The first and probably most obvious way it to get a secured credit card.  Unlike conventional credit cards, you won’t be denied a secured credit card because you secure the credit card with a deposit of your own choosing, so you can make your credit “limit” whatever amount you want.  (I know, this is not the easy answer that you’re looking for, but trust me, it does work.)

Once you sign up for a secured credit card, you make the deposit, and then use the card just like a credit card to make purchases, and make regular payments on the balance.  The credit card company then reports your new credit limit, responsible usage and regular payment history to the credit bureaus every month.  In no time at all, you will begin to see the positive effect this will have on your credit score.

The other way that you can get a fresh start is by opening a Fingerhut Credit Account, which can actually be an unsecured account or, in the rare event that you don’t qualify, could be a special Fingerhut “fresh start” account.  I say that it can be one of the two because, even though nearly everyone qualifies for the first option, and open Fingerhut Credit Account, there are occasionally times when you may have to start with the second type of account.  Either way, opening an account with Fingerhut is truly one of the fastest ways to raise your credit score that I’ve ever seen.

Typically new customers start out with a credit limit of about $300.00 – use it responsibly, make your payments on time every time, and you should see your credit score begin to improve, and you’ll also be amazed at how quickly your credit limit may be increased, and you’ll love the special offers (6 months interest free, no payments for several months, the Fingerhut major purchase program, and more!)

Apply Now for Fingerhut Credit Account issued by WebBank

So, there you have it – the two best ways to improve your credit score quickly and almost painlessly!  All you have to do is pick one (or both) and get started!

Here’s a Fresh Idea for Your Tax Refund

Looking for a way to get a fresh start on your credit?

Here’s a great way to use this year’s tax refund to get a fresh start on your credit and still have a way to take that beach vacation you’ve been dreaming about all winter.  The year, instead of spending your entire refund on a trip to the beach (or the mountains, or wherever you want to go), use the money to make a deposit on a secured credit card, like the OpenSky Secured Visa Card.

When you open the account and make your security deposit, you’ll give your credit a boost two different ways:

  1. Your new secured credit card will have available credit up to the amount of the security deposit that you put on the card, and credit utilization is an important part of your credit score. Increase your available credit and you’ll raise your credit score.
  2. When you use your new secured credit card, you’ll make payments on it just like a regular credit card, and those regular payments will be reported to the credit bureaus. Establishing a regular payment history will also help you to improve your credit score.

Best of all, you can still take that annual vacation you’ve been dreaming of, instead of using cash, you’ll simply use your new OpenSky Secured Visa Card, and then pay the balance off over time!  (And your entire tax refund will still be intact as the security deposit on the card!)

What better way to get a fresh start on your credit AND still get to go to the beach?

New Fingerhut Promo Code

Check out this month’s new Fingerhut Promo Code!

Not an Access Card

Open a new Fingerhut account, spend $100 or more, and use this promo code to get $25.00 off your first order!

But wait, this site is about getting a fresh start on your credit… what does a Fingerhut promo code have to do with getting your credit back on track?

Believe it or not, opening a new Fingerhut Credit Account is one of the best ways to improve your credit score!

Actually there are several ways to improve your credit with Fingerhut, especially if your credit is less than perfect.

  • First and foremost, Fingerhut is one of the few places where you can actually get credit when you’ve had a serious setback… lost a job, gotten a divorce, or gotten behind in your payments.  In fact, Fingerhut has given more people a fresh start than just about anywhere else!
  • Second, a Fingerhut Credit Account will help you to establish a good payment history.  Not only will your payments be affordable, but Fingerhut will report your payments to the credit bureau every month.  In just a few months, you should begin to see an improvement as your payment and credit history grows!
  • Third, a Fingerhut Credit Account will help with your available credit, which is shown on your credit report under credit utilization.  Simply keep your Fingerhut credit utilization around one third of your available credit and you’ll see even more improvement on your credit score!
  • And finally, Fingerhut offers thousands of brand name products at extremely competitive prices, so you won’t have any problem finding exactly what you want!

So go ahead, treat yourself to something new and get a fresh start on your credit with Fingerhut!  

Get the credit you deserve and save $25 on your first order of $100 or more with a new Fingerhut Credit Account issued by WebBank. Use promo code NC582. Limited Time Only. Offer Ends Soon.!

 

Tax Refund Time is a Great Time for A Fresh Start!

Why not use your tax refund to get that fresh start on your credit this year?

Instead of spending your annual tax refund windfall on something that you probably don’t really need, why not use it to get a fresh start on your credit?  (You can do both!)  Maybe you have less than perfect credit, or no credit history at all, but you want to improve your score… perhaps in the near future, you want to buy a car, get a new apartment, or even buy your first house?  With the right credit score, you can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars in interest, and it all starts when you start working on your credit report and improving your credit score.

How can your tax refund help you to improve your credit score?

Using your tax refund to improve your credit score is easy!  Simply apply for The First Progress Platinum Elite MasterCard® Secured Credit Card  and use a portion of your tax refund to make the required security deposit on the credit card (between $200 and $2,000 – you choose the amount), and then, simply use your new credit card to buy whatever it was you were going to buy with your tax refund.  Then, make timely, regular payments on the credit card.  In turn, First Progress will report your good payment history to all three credit bureaus each and every month – if you’re like most people, you’ll start to see results in just a few months!

What could be better?  You still get to buy that new television, take that little vacation, or whatever else it was you wanted, and you can use your tax refund to get that fresh start on your credit that you’ve been hoping for!