"Their very conservatism is secondhand, and they don't know what they are conserving."Robertson Davies
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Cash For Structured Settlements - The Smart Way
For most people when they buy a house it is considered their life's largest deal. In some cases of structured settlements the compensation and financial considerations for a persons life duration and the total present value of the settlement can reach few ...
Financial Security through Structured Settlements
Structured settlements have become a natural part of personal injury and worker's compensation claims in the United States, according to the National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA). In 2001, life insurance members of NSSTA wrote more ...
Free Credit Report - Watch Out for Scams
Many people may still not be aware of an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) that Congress passed last year. This amendment allows U.S. citizens to receive a copy of their credit report, for free, once per year. The plan is being rolled out ...
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Most any large city has a number of small shops offering payday loans. They're often found in strip centers; sometimes they double as pawn shops. They have a simple business - they lend you money until your next paycheck. The system is pretty convenient; you write them a postdated check for the amount you're borrowing plus interest. On your next payday, they cash the check and your loan is paid off. What many people who use payday loan services fail to realize is that the interest rates charged by these firms are substantial, often reaching the equivalent of four hundred percent per year!
The interest rates charged by payday loan stores varies from state to state, but a rate of 15-17% for two weeks is not unusual. This translates to 390-440% per year, which is a staggering amount of interest to pay on a loan. The lenders say that these amounts are fair, and are necessary to cover the overhead associated with running a business and to account for a substantial number of borrowers who fail to repay the loans. That may be true, but that high of an interest rate can turn the “convenience” of a payday loan into a nightmare. Many borrowers are relatively low paid blue-collar workers who live from paycheck to paycheck. Someone who is a “bit short” this week may also find themselves short again on their next payday. If they fail to pay back the payday loan, the interest continues to accrue and additional penalties, such as returned check fees, may apply. It is quite common to see loans of $300 or so turn into debts of several thousand dollars, especially if the borrower compounds the problem by borrowing funds from a second payday loan store to pay the loan from the first one.
Several states have already passed laws capping the interest rates that may be charged on payday loans. Others will undoubtedly follow. A good alternative to the payday loan would be to take a cash advance on a credit card. There is usually a fee associated with a cash advance, but the annual interest rate, combined with the fee, is still a lot cheaper than a loan at 400%. Anyone who is considering taking out a payday loan should read the terms carefully. Otherwise, that “loan until payday” could be there to haunt you for a long time.
About the Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and StructuredSettlementHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding structured settlements.
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Ringler Associates Names New Board MembersEON: Enhanced Online News (press release)(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Ringler Associates, Inc, the largest structured settlement company in the nation, is pleased to announce the election of two new members to the Ringler Board of Directors. Cindy Chanley, CSSC, based in the Ringler ...and more » |
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Hennepin County judge: Texas firm must provide recordsMinneapolis Star TribuneHennepin County District judge found "reasonable grounds to believe" company that bought structured settlements violated law. A Hennepin County District judge has ordered a Texas company to comply with an investigation by the Minnesota attorney ...and more » |
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Taking Stock: Appointments, Promotions, AchievementsWisconsin Rapids TribuneMichael Westcott, structured settlement broker with Ringler Associates, was selected to speak at the 2012 annual conference of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance on the topic of "The impact of Medicare compliance on the litigation process ...and more » |
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