There are many websites out there that offer same-day or next-day cash advance loans for amounts between $100 and $500. The process of getting one of getting a cash advance loan from one of these sites is relatively straightforward. The first thing you have to make sure that you meet the minimum requirements as set forth by the company's terms of service. Although each website might have slightly different requirements, in general they will consist of things such as being with the same employer for at least three months, being at least 18 or 21 years old (depending on your state of residence), and having a checking account with direct deposit available. As you can see, these minimum requirements are pretty easily met. It doesn't matter if you have a history of bad credit or bankruptcies; chances are you'll still be able to get a cash advance loan.

The next thing you have to do is hand over some paperwork. What kind of documents do you have to provide? Well, that depends on the specific company that you're working with. Some lenders require all kinds of paperwork, copies of your driver's license, cancelled checks, paycheck stubs, and things of that nature before they will release a loan to you. You can either fax these documents in or drop copies off in person if there is a location near you. Of course, this means you have to have access to a copier and a fax machine. Then there are other lenders that process cash advance loans entirely online. The only thing they require of you is your checking account number and the authority to make a one-time automatic draft or withdrawal for the amount of your loan plus any fees and interest that you've agreed on.

Speaking of fees and interest, you can expect to pay a high price for getting an instant cash advance loan. The specific fee schedule would of course vary from lender to lender, but typical rates start at 20% or more. In other words, you can expect to have to pay back $120 for every $100 that you borrow. But at least with the funds from a cash advance loan in your pocket, you'll be able to keep your car, your job, and/or your home.

If you're in a tough financial position, you should consider applying for a cash advance loan online. The process is fast, easy, and completely confidential. You'll be able to get the money you need to get yourself back on your feet again no matter what your credit history looks like.

Those loans can cost you 15 percent or more, and for what? Just to get a few days early the money you'll be getting anyway? Forget it. What a ridiculous idea. If you're starving – I mean, seriously physically starving – I can see the advantage of advance payday loan, but otherwise, it's usually no worse than the alternative. It makes more sense to pay the rent late, or the utilities late. That is, unless you are about to get evicted, or have your utilities shut off. Then of course, get an advance payday loan, and get one now!

advance payday loans are usually the weapon of last resort for the very poor and destitute. If you are almost on the street, down to your last dime, then an advance payday loan could make sense and help you at least stay on your feet a little longer, but really, sometimes things get so bad that there's just no stopping them from getting worse. Of course that attitude is of very little consolation if you are the one who is very broke and about to get your house repossessed or your car auctioned, or even your kids taken away.

If you are broke, before you get an advance payday loan, think of your other options. It is always good to consider your support network – your friends and family, and what they might be able and willing to do for you. Even someone you haven't talked to in years might be more than willing to bail you out rather than see you fall through the cracks. I know it is humiliating to have to ask for help like that. I know, because I have been there, but really, it is much more humilliating to be completely destitute because you lost 15% of your monthly earning using your advance payday loan, and are now out on the street. There's no reason to let yourself fall through the cracks like that, when help is around the corner. Also, you can use food banks and free meal programs to help you save money if you are really broke. Most cities have these programs.

Christian Financial Consultants can provide eligible credit counseling. In fact, with our credit counseling, debt settlement, and debt consolidation programs, we may be able to help you avoid bankruptcy completely. When you file for bankruptcy, it stays on your record for 10 years -- making it difficult to get a loan, find a job, or even rent an apartment. For this reason, it has always been a good idea to try debt settlement and debt consolidation before considering bankruptcy filing.

Learn more about our credit counseling, debt settlement, and debt consolidation programs. Fill out the form on the righ side of this page for a free bankruptcy credit counseling session.

Christian Financial Consultants' unique debt reduction and credit counseling program may help you to:

• Lower your monthly payments In many cases, monthly payments can be reduced up to 70%.
• Drastically reduce interest rates Christian Financial Consultants is currently achieving interest rates between 6% and 8% for our clients.
• Eliminate late fees and over-the-limit charges

Christian Debt Reduction is more than just debt consolidation. Our Christian debt reduction program also includes christian debt settlement. With debt settlement, the principal of your debts can actually be reduced, easing your debt burden in a significant way.

Please fill out the form on the right for a free Christian Debt Reduction counseling session.

If you've reached a turning point and are now ready to walk the path towards a debt-free life, our Christian Debt Counseors can help you. Our debt consolidation, debt settlement, and credit counseling programs are designed to help make your debt payments more manageable, and eventually eliminate your debt completely.

Christian Financial Consultants' Christian debt counselors are experienced and can help you to:

• Lower your monthly payments In some cases monthly payments may be reduced up to 70%.
• Significantly reduce interest rates Christian Financial Consultants is currently achieving average interest rates between 6% and 8% for our clients.
• Eliminate late fees and over-the-limit charges

For a FREE counseling session with one of our Christian debt counselors, simply fill out the form on the right.

If you've reached a turning point and are now ready to walk the path towards a debt-free life, our Christian Debt Counseling program can help you. Our program combines debt consolidation with Christian debt counseling, with the goal of helping you stay debt free.

Christian Financial Consultants' unique Christian debt counseling and debt consolidation program may help you to:

• Lower your monthly payments In some cases monthly payments may be reduced up to 70%.
• Significantly reduce interest rates Christian Financial Consultants is currently achieving average interest rates between 6% and 8% for our clients.
• Eliminate late fees and over-the-limit charges

For a FREE session with one of our Christian debt counseling specialists, simply fill out the form on the right.

Our credit counseling and debt consolidation programs are rooted in Christian values and Christian financial concepts. Christian Financial Consultants can help you down the path to a life free of financial burdens.

Our Christian Financial Concepts counseling program can help you to:

• Lower your monthly debt payments In many cases, payments can be reduced up to 70%.
• Drastically reduce interest rate charges Christian Financial Consultants is currently achieving average interest rates between 6% and 8% for our clients.

To learn more about Christian financial concepts, please fill out the form on the right side of this page for a free Christian Financial Concepts counseling session.

Debt Consolidation can lower your credit card payments.
Christian Financial Consultants can light the path to freedom and will minister the support that all of His followers' need in challenging times. Our debt consolidation program can help.

Christian Financial Consultants' unique debt consolidation help program may help you to:

• Reduce your monthly payments In some cases, your payments can be reduced as much as 70%.
• Drastically reduce interest rates We are currently achieving average interest rates between 6% and 8% for our clients, much lower than high credit card interest rates.
• Eliminate late fees and over-the-limit charges

Please fill out the form on the right for a free debt consolidation help counseling session.

What is debt consolidation, and how can it help?
Debt consolidation is a means of consolidating all of your debt into a single debt payment, usually with a much lower interest rate. Our debt consolidation program can help you pay off your debts much faster.

Please fill out the form on the right side of this page for a FREE debt consolidation help counseling session.

Christian Financial Consultants can help you answer that question. Our consumer debt counseling program may be able to help you mange your debts and eventually to eliminate debt obligations completely.

Get started today. For a FREE consumer debt counseling session, please fill out the for on right side of this page. There is no charge and no obligation for this consumer debt counseling session.

Benefits of Consumer Debt Counseling:

• Lower your monthly payments In some cases, payments can be reduced as much as 70%.
• Significantly reduce interest rates Christian Financial Consultants is currently achieving interest rates between 6% and 8% for our clients, much lower than high credit card interest rates.
• Eliminate late fees and over-the-limit charges

Please fill out the form on the right for a free consumer debt counseling counseling session.

Christian Financial Consultants' unique credit card debt consolidation program may help you to:

• Lower your monthly payments In some cases, monthly payments can be reduced as much as 70%.
• Drastically reduce interest rates Christian Financial Consultants is currently achieving average interest rates between 6% and 8% for our clients, much lower than high credit card interest rates.
• Eliminate credit card payment late fees and over-the-limit charges

Please fill out the form on the right for a free credit card debt consolidation counseling session.

What is credit card debt consolidation?
Credit card debt consolidation is a means of consolidating all of your credit card debt into a single debt obligation, usually with a much lower interest rate. Our credit card debt consolidation program can help you pay off your credit card debt much faster.

Please fill out the form on the right for a free credit card debt consolidation counseling session.

Christian Financial Consultants' unique debt settlement and credit counseling program may help you to:

• Lower your monthly payments In some cases monthly payments can be reduced up to 70%.
• Drastically reduce interest rates Christian Financial Consultants is currently achieving average interest rates between 6% and 8% for our clients.
• Eliminate late fees and over-the-limit charges

Christian Debt Settlement is more than just debt consolidation. With our Christian debt settlement program, the principal of your debts can actually be reduced, easing your debt burden in a significant way.

Please fill out the form on the right for a free Christian Debt Settlement counseling session.

Usted también gozará de los beneficios de la consolidación: todas sus deudas sin garantía unificadas en un simple pago. Cancelará su deuda mucho más rápido. No se trata de un préstamo. No necesita constituir segundas hipotecas.

Disminuya Sus Pagos Mensuales – Según su situación actual, CFC puede disponer con los acreedores la realización de pagos de menor monto.

En algunos casos, los pagos mensuales pueden reducirse hasta un 70%.

CFC logra en la actualidad tasas de interés de entre 6% y 8% para nuestros clientes. Muchos acreedores aceptan intereses del 0% en nuestro programa. ¿Ha notado que sus pagos mensuales actuales se casi en su totalidad para cubrir cargos de financiación? El programa de consolidación de deuda de CFC le permite realizar un único y simple pago mensual. Usted elige una fecha de pago que se ajuste a su presupuesto mensual y un método de pago que sea conveniente según su estilo de vida. Libérese de las múltiples fechas de vencimiento y las complicadas formas de pago.

Resuelva Sus Obligaciones – Existe una gran diferencia entre cumplir con sus obligaciones cada mes y resolverlas. Aquí es donde CFC puede ayudarlo. A través de nuestra extensa red de recursos sin fines de lucro, hemos proporcionado soluciones para nuestros clientes y para más de 11.000 acreedores en todo el país.

Podemos ayudarlo a realizar grandes progresos mensuales con respecto a su deuda, lo cual le proporcionará esperanza y la expectativa de libertad. Como resultado, se liberará de la deuda en sólo una parte del tiempo que le tomaría si lo hiciera de otra manera.

Comience a Creer en Dios – Dios sabe lo que usted necesita antes de que se lo pida, así que comience a creer en Él por las cosas que necesita pero que no puede costear. Tome todas sus decisiones financieras basado en los principios de la Palabra de Dios, no en los principios del mundo financiero y de los conocimientos financieros convencionales. CFC lo devolverá a un estilo de vida simple – una vida de alegría y servicio que Dios y Su hijo planearon para todos nosotros. Dé el primer paso y envíenos un e-mail o llámenos hoy para una consulta gratuita no vinculante.

Con nadie tengáis otra deuda que la del amor mutuo… Romanos 13:8

Christian Financial Consultants' unique credit counseling and debt consolidation program may help you to:

• Lower your monthly payments In some cases monthly payments may be reduced up to 70%.
• Significantly reduce interest rates Christian Financial Consultants is currently achieving average interest rates between 6% and 8% for our clients.
• Eliminate late fees and over-the-limit charges

For a free session with one of our Christian credit counselors, simply fill out the form on the right.

For more information about our Christian Credit Counselors program, click here.

Christian Financial Consultants will light the path to freedom and will minister the support that all of His followers need in challenging times.

Financial concerns distracting you from service to God, family and society?
Christian Financial Consultants will return you to a simpler lifestyle - a life of joy and service that God and His son intended for all of us.

Christian Financial Consultants' unique debt consolidation program may help you to:

• Lower your monthly payments
• Drastically reduce interest rates
• Eliminate late fees and over-the-limit charges

Please fill out the form on the right for a free Christian Financial Counseling session.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

For a free debt consolidation counseling session, please fill out the form on the right.

Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management." He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!

Hi Scott,
Read your article Consider Financing Your Next Car with a Credit Card and as you asked I'm commenting on same. The logic of the 4.9% at 6 Months makes sense, BUT is it a reality? You said use your credit, WRITE A CHECK, isn't writing a check tantamount to a CASH ADVANCE? I believe it is with most credit card companies. If it is, then aren't you looking at a much higher interest rate? Example, one of my credit cards has PURCHASES @ 18.90, while CASH ADVANCES are at 23.00! And, any monies paid against the balance ALWAYS goes to the lower interest rate! Any comment? BTW, I enjoyed the article and you have a great website! Very interesting, informative & helpful "stuff!"
--Mel

Answer
Mel,

Thank you for writing!

You're correct that you would probably have to write a check. And yes, it's a cash advance, however, I have many, many, many, no-fee, low rate, check offers. I have one I just used for 2.99%, no-fees, which is far better than any used car loan I could get otherwise.

I said in my article to "consider" using your credit card. If it doesn't make sense in your case, then don't do it, but many people may be able to get a better deal this way.

Talk to you later.
--Scott

Reply
I just wanted to see if my train of thought process with regard to interest rates (cash vs purchase) was correct. BTW, know where I can get a credit card with a $75,000 credit line, I want to buy a used Ferrari! Keep up the great work, love your website!
--Mel

For free information about how we can help you reduce your debt, please fill out our form.

Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management." He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!

Scott,
I had a card that had a fixed rate of 5% on my balance. I closed the account years ago when I started taking control of my debt. Since this was the lowest rate of the cards I had I was only paying the minimum and concentrating instead on paying off other high interest credit. I received a notice with one of my invoices that they would be increasing the rate to 20% and that I basically didn't have a choice in the matter (fine print). I transfered the balance over to other cards that would have a lower APR than the 20% they would be imposing however this severely limited my available credit for emergency purposes.

Just wanted to know if it is legal for them to increase the rate on a closed account and if there was any other option for me to consider. Obviously this would be information for any future similar situations. Thanks!
--Mike

Answer
Mike,

Do you have the original paperwork that gave you the fixed rate of 5%? I truly hope so because it's that documentation that could ultimately help you keep that rate. The only problem is that you did transfer the balance but you did so because you thought they wouldn't keep the rate at what they promised.

I see this happen frequently that's why I ALWAYS keep copies of the letter, terms, conditions, etc. in my files for just such a situation. I even photocopy applications!

If this happened to me, and I found evidence that they couldn't raise the rate, then I might even contact a lawyer and see what could be done. I would also contact the Federal Trade Commission and other consumer groups to see if they could help me make the bank honor their agreement.

For the future...get everything in writing and keep it in a file!

Good luck and please let me know what happens.

Scott

For free information about how we can help you reduce your debt, please fill out our form.

Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management." He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!

Scott,
I have a home eq. loan for 10 years at 8.50% for $26,000.00. Could I pay this down with credit cards using $500.00 a month payments?
--J.G.

Answer
J.G.,

I think a better strategy is going to be to get another loan to pay this off. After all, 8.5% ARR is a fairly good rate so you may have some trouble beating this rate with credit cards over a ten year period. It can be done as long as you have enough credit to continually get good, true, low rate offers.

With interest rates dropping try shopping for a better loan on my web site at:
http://www.debtsmart.com/loan

Scott

For free information about how we can help you reduce your debt, please fill out our form.

Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management." He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!

Scott,
In the past year I left a considerably higher paying job for which I was in six years, to take a less stressful and lower paying one. Consideration of debt was a difficult one in this transition. I knew I would now be making less money to pay off the debts incurred but never realized how difficult it would be. I am now paying the minimum required and know that I will never get out of it this way. Any suggestions? Have moved most debt to lower rate cards, but the time on those is running out. Can I request that my rate remain the same since I make my payments on time?
--Nancy

Answer
Nancy,

You can request that your rates be lowered but they're not going to do it unless you give them a good reason. That reason is that you'll transfer your balance to another bank unless they lower your rate.

Now that you have a lower-stress job you may want to consider earning extra money in your spare time. I know many people that have successfully cleaned up they're house plus made some extra cash selling their old stuff on eBay.com.

Also, be sure to make a complete list of all your financial obligations, mortgage/rent, phone, credit cards, cable tv, etc. and figure out how that works with your current income. This list of monthly payments is part of the roadmap you'll need to make the right financial decisions.

Scott

For free information about how we can help you reduce your debt, please fill out our form.

Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management." He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!

Scott,
First off great site, very informative.

I've already organized my debt with the highest interest debt to be paid off first. Only thing is, my car loan is up toward the top and it's getting close to the time when I would need to roll over the payments of paid off debt to the next highest interest rate debt, my car loan.

Does it make sense to start increasing my payments on this loan? Isn't it fixed what I will pay on the loan? If this is the case shouldn't I start paying on the next highest interest debt (another credit card) instead? Thanks for any help!
Mike

Answer
Mike,

Thanks your positive comments about DebtSmart!

It's great that you've already set up a payment program that pays the highest-interest-rate debts back first. Many financial "experts" advise to pay off the lowest-balance debt first but that's simply wrong, meaning, more expensive!

Since your car loan is about to become the most expensive debt, highest interest rate, you should "roll" your payments from the last debt into the car loan. This is the most efficient method of repaying your debt.

There are however, a few details you need to check:

1) Are you allowed to pay off your car loan early with larger payments? There are some loans that have pre-payment penalty conditions so call the bank to make sure you can send in more money toward the loan principal.

2) When you send in your payments be sure the bank knows to apply the entire payment toward your balance. There are a few instances when the bank will apply the scheduled payment and hold the extra for the next payment. You don't want that situation.

3) Will you need that extra cash in the near future? If you pay more toward a credit card you can always get that cash back if you need it by using a cash advance or making purchases with the card. When you increase the payment on the car, that money becomes part of the car and cannot be converted back into cash again until the car is sold.

In summary, you are correct. It makes perfect sense to send the extra payment to the car loan because it's the most expensive debt on your list. Just be sure there are no penalties for paying off the loan early. If there are penalties, you'll need to consider if the savings from the interest charges are greater than penalties. Chances are you can pay off the loan early; if there are penalties let me know.

Keep up the good work!

Scott

For free information about how we can help you reduce your debt, please fill out our form.

Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management." He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!

Scott,
How do you save money to buy a home when you are swamped with credit card bills that just seem to suck every last bit of savings?--Darryl

Answer
Darryl,

I know exactly how you feel since I was in that very same position at one time.

First of all you need to be sure that your credit card interest rates are as low as possible. By "low" I mean below 11.9%. There are many excellent credit-card offers available from numerous banks, which make the rates very competitive. Look through your junk mail and read the fine print in some of those offers. Start using the 0% offers and track the dates when they expire so you can be sure to transfer your balance before the rate is increased.

Once you've minimized your interest cost, you need to make saving for that house a priority. The way I saved while paying my credit card bills was to make minimum payments. That's right, it's one of those exceptions to the pay-the-most-to-your-credit-cards- first-rule.

In this case, to save for the down payment of your house, you make the minimum payments to your credit cards and bank the difference. The reason is that you need to save your own money to use as a down payment; you cannot cash advance money from your credit cards to buy a house. Well I guess, technically you could, but most likely you won't be given a mortgage if the bank learns that you’re buying a house with your credit cards.

The strategy here is that you’re going create extra money by paying less each month to your credit cards. Many times banks will give you an opportunity to skip a payment. That's the perfect time to save that extra payment in a bank account toward your down payment.

Many people would criticize me for suggesting that you pay less to your credit cards because you're going to pay a little extra interest. However, this interest cost is the fee you pay to be able to get the cash for the house. It was worth it for me and everything turned out just fine.

Good luck and please let me know how things go!

For free information about how we can help you reduce your debt, please fill out our form.

Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management." He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!

You know all the stuff that’s filling up your garage, attic, or shed? It’s the same stuff that you want to sell at a garage sale if you only had the time. Well, those unwanted items may be able to help you start reducing your debt today!

How?

By selling it all at online auctions like eBay.com. Although I have been recommending doing this for years, I’ve only recently started selling my unwanted household clutter online. It’s really not clutter it’s stuff I don’t want anymore that other people might need.

Since I’m just getting started selling at online auctions I’m also going to start letting everyone know about how I’m doing it and how well it’s going.

So far, it’s going VERY well! Everything I’ve put online has sold! I’ve sold an autographed Norman Mailer book that my father picked up at the library discard rack and a digital voice recorder. Total sales, $56.00 for two hours of work--that’s $23 per hour for creating more space in my garage! Pretty good deal!

To make transactions simple, you can receive payment from your auctions through PayPal. They allow your buyers to use their credit cards to pay. Setting up an account with PayPal is FREE, however, there are modest transaction charges.

I’ve already auctioned off a Sony Handycam Video 8mm CCD-F33, videocamera.

How can you get started making extra money today?

Look through your house for items you believe may be worth selling. Items that you can probably sell for $10 or more.

Next, research the value of your item. Go to eBay.com and do a search for your item. Check the current items for sale and the completed items. Look at the prices that your item has sold for in the past so you can get an idea of its true sale value. Also, read what other people wrote about that item so you have a starting point for writing your advertising copy (fancy way of saying “sales pitch”).

Market Research

Remember that camera I put up for auction? Well, it sold for $71! That's $71 off my debt! So far, everything I've put up for auction has sold.

Look through your house for stuff that you really don't use anymore. That stuff may be very useful to other people, so you should consider selling it online at auction web sites like eBay.com and use the proceeds to reduce your debts.

Once you find items that are good candidates to be sold online, it is important to be able to get an idea of how much they are worth. You can look at StrongNumbers.com for prices of many items, or simply go to eBay.com and do a search for the items.

By reviewing the search results, you'll find the best description for your item. Do another search with the more specific description and see if any are for sale right now.

Next, click on "completed items" which will show you what your item has sold for in the past. Then sort by highest price first. This final research list tells you the highest prices you can expect to get when you auction your item. It also tells you what people used in their description that made the item sell at the greatest price. This is the information you'll want to include in your item description.

Finally, you need to register with eBay.com to get an account. The registration process is easy. Just go to their main page and click on "register now," and fill out the online forms.

Okay, so now you have the item, you have an idea of what to write in the description, you have an account, the next thing you need is a picture of the item.

As the cliché goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words," and this is absolutely true! People want to see what they're going to buy. When you were researching the item description, you should also have noticed the photos used. You'll want to take similar pictures to use in your description.

The best way to get great photos is with a digital camera. I use the Sony Digital Mavica FD73 ($350). Another option is to take a film photo and scan the print.

Also, many companies that process film give you the option of having your pictures posted online. This option allows you to take pictures of your items, then download the pictures. You can then use the pictures that are already posted online to link in the HTML description of your item (I'll talk about that in the next column).

Research your items, pick the most likely to sell, take a photo of each item, and make each picture digital.

Posting Your

You should be ready to:

1) Identified items you're ready to sell online.

2) Researched the value of each item.

3) Developed the "sales copy," i.e. the words you use in the item description.

4) Taken photos of each item and digitized them.

Now all you need to do is post the items.

Quick mention, all the stuff I had for sale last week sold! So far 100% of my items have sold and taken over $150 off my debt! My latest sale is a Star Trek book that I found at the flea market for $5.

Two final notes before we get to posting your items.

First, you need to determine how much shipping may be for your items. You must decide how much to charge, if you're going to include it in the final price at no additional cost or if you'll let the auction winner know the shipping costs at the end of the auction.

Second, you need to be able to accept payment. Many people will want to pay with a credit card. The good news is that you don't have to set up a merchant account. You can simply sign up with PayPal.com.

Back to posting...

There are many online auctions where you can sell your items. The most popular place is eBay.com so we'll talk about posting there.

To post your items go to eBay.com and click on "sell" on the top menu bar then select a category.

TIP: You can enter a category number at the bottom, which is a great short cut, however, you need to know the number. To quickly get the category number for your item, go to an auction for a similar item. Directly below the Item # is a link to the category. When you click on this link look at the URL. The category number is shown in the URL, for example, ".../list/category11724/..." this is a great short cut for finding the category.

Next you need to enter a title for your auction. Again, look at the research you did with similar items. Use the same description that others have used.

Use the same strategy for the description, look at what others have written for similar items. Be careful to not copy the exact wording in the description because this may technically be a violation of copyrights--just paraphrase.

You're allowed to post one photo for free with your auction. Take advantage of this! Also, for only an additional 25 cents you can have your photo shown in the line-item listing--I do this every time.

Another important decision is setting the minimum bid price. "Your auction will start at this price: generally, it is the lowest price at which you are willing to sell. Setting the minimum bid too high may discourage bidding!"

If nobody bids to your minimum price then you don't have to sell the item.

Finish completing the posting information. For a basic posting the default settings are probably going to be correct. There are many sections of this form so READ everything very carefully.

After you have correctly completed the form you'll be quoted the price for listing your auction. Be sure that the price makes sense. For listing a $10 item the cost is approximately $1.25. Be sure to print this page for your records.

Good luck and please let me know how your items are selling!

For free information about how we can help you reduce your debt, please fill out our form.

Robert B. Gamble is an Electrical Engineer currently working for the U.S. Navy at The Naval Air Warfare Center in Lakehurst. Robert also is one of the editors of Scott Bilker's best-selling book, "Credit Card and Debt Management." This article is brought to you by the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!

Several weeks ago I received a bill from Target Credit. I knew I did not apply for such a card, so I called the number related to the $160 worth of items charged and listed on the bill. They told me the items were shipped to someone in New York. Well, I was not about to pay for something I did not order, or receive, and I was not about to pay for a credit card that I did not even apply for.

I called Target, and came to find out that someone had signed up for the card, they had my name, my social security number, and my address, however the address had the wrong street number.

Needless to write, I told them to cancel the card and I filed a fraud report. Three months later, I am still receiving evidence that the thieves are still trying to use the card. Target assures me that they have canceled the card, and are not accepting any more charges. They assure me that their fraud department is handling it.

Thank you (Scott) for my Capital One card. Last week, I received a call from Capital One to verify if I truly wanted another Capital One Card. They noticed that the new application was to some address in West Virginia, and they wanted to confirm that I wanted the new card.

They provided Capital One my name, and my SSN and the new address. I told them no, and they told me I should contact the three different credit report companies and put a statement in that would require the credit report companies to contact me when any new credit cards are applied for. Kathy (the Capital One person) gave me the phone numbers for the three credit report companies and suggested I call them ASAP.

As soon as I hung up, I called them. The three companies are:
Experian (888) 397-3742
Trans Union (800) 680-7289
EquiFax, Phone # from the Credit Report - (866) 233-3780

Address:
Equifax Information Services, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256

or, Could not speak to anyone
(800) 685-1111 or (800) 270-3435

or, for online help
(888) 532-0179

Fax machine number
(888) 729-0083

I was able to contact Experian & Trans Union and speak to a live person. They helped me file the necessary information, and said I would receive a letter within 10 days. EquiFax, only has an automated number which wants to charge $39.95 a month for their protection service.

I have not contacted the number from the credit report that I received last month (Just by chance I ordered a Free report which came from EquiFax). While the credit report does not show the Target card, or any other card I don't know about, I still want to call and file the fraud report to require contacting me before issuing any new cards.

I hope this helps you and your readers, and again thanks for the Capital One card.

For free information about how we can help you reduce your debt, please fill out our form.

Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management." He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!

I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!

A couple years ago most credit card banks changed their policy of what "late" means to meaning "one day late is late." It used to be that late was if your payment was due on the 1st but received on, say, the 20th. Not anymore. If you're 24 hours late, it's late, and you will be charged the late fee. Late fees have also been rising and some are now as high as $35!

What did I know?

I had the feeling that since being one day late means that banks can charge a late fee, it's possible that, well, payments could "accidentally" be held for say, oh, 24 hours. Oops, you're late!

My theory was a step closer to confirmation when one of my credit card payments was exactly one day late. I always track everything--every check, every payment date, and all transactions. I use Quicken and other custom software I developed to pay my bills. So when I was late by one day I took a look at the date that bank's check was mailed.

Guess how early I mailed the payment?

Seven days!

The 8th day was the late day. I called the bank and told them that they'd better waive that fee or I would transfer my balance and close the account. They did waive the fee for me, but I wonder how many other people don't call to waive these one-day-late fees?

I wonder how many people simply pay the late fee because they figure "I was late." Being exactly one day late has happened to many people I know. I asked them if they called the bank to complain and they said that they didn't because they thought they were actually late.

Tell you what, being one day late isn't worth 35 bucks! There is no way that it costs the bank $35 for someone to be one day late.

The way I see it is that it's like being mugged in an alley!

As it turns out my theory is even closer to confirmation. Look at those small slips of paper with fine print that come with your statement. Many of those papers are lawsuit notifications from banks that are accused of "not crediting payments promptly," and charging late fees.

The funny thing is that in these class action lawsuits, when the smoke clears, the lawyers get paid millions and most of us only get back a few cents! Every case that I'm involved in, because I'm a cardholder, has been settled without the bank having to admit any wrongdoing.

What can we do?

Be sure to look at every charge on your credit card statement. Don't let the bank get away with charging you a late fee. I don't care if it's really your fault for being late!

First of all, it doesn't matter because $35 is a rip-off for being 24 hours late. And, second of all, the bank should treat you like gold for being a good customer, and should waive at least one late fee as a courtesy even if it IS your fault.

For free information about how we can help you reduce your debt, please fill out our form.

Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management." He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!

Scott,
I read your article in which you state that you have 80 or so credit cards. I'm not sure why this is advantageous. I have cancelled all but one card which I pay in full each month and by no means see my "options" (to get into debt, I guess) as being restricted.

For instance, I did need to carry a balance for 3 months to pay for an engagement ring at the beginning of this year. All I did was charge it to my everyday card, which has a lousy rate but gives me perks, get a new card with a low rate so I paid almost no interest for those three months, then closed that card when it was paid. This is actually better than calling the banks for the best rate because the cards with the perks almost always have the lousy rates, so you're better off putting it onto one of those cards, and then transferring it to a lower rate card, then you get the perks.

The problem with having multiple cards that go unused is that potential creditors will count available credit against you when you apply for a mortgage or a car.

Also, the more open accounts you have, the greater the chance of being defrauded. Having only one card is by no means restrictive there are hundreds of companies who would give me a card after a 5-minute phone call. I just don't see the point in keeping cards that aren't being used open. --Keith

Answer
It's true. Between my wife and myself (joint accounts) we have over 80 credit cards!

WARNING, I am NOT advising anyone to go and get 80 credit cards! The more credit lines you have available, the greater the probability you'll increase your debt, obviously.

So why do I have so many cards?

There are many reasons:

1) When I borrow money I want to have many loan options. About half of my accounts are offering me low-rate transfer deals all the time! I have purchased used cars with my credit cards at 0%! And because I have so many cards I can continue to transfer the balances and keep the rates less than 4% all the time. I've been doing that for more than 10 years!
2) I'm into this topic, saving money on credit cards. How can I write about credit cards if I don't have credit cards? How can I verify good credit card offers if I don't ever receive or use any?
3) I actually enjoy trying to uncover the true costs of credit. I need lots-o-data!
4) Who would you want writing about credit...someone who hasn't had or used a credit card for 25 years or somebody who deals with credit cards all the time?

I don't carry a balance on all of those credit cards. If I did, then this article would be about bankruptcy not being "debt smart."

If you think 80 credit cards are a lot then how many do you think the worlds record is?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records Walter Cavanagh of Santa Clara, CA is "Mr. Plastic Fantastic" and blows me away with a total of 1,397 unique accounts! I couldn't even image juggling that many credit cards.

Next, your strategy for using a card that gives you perks, at 0% for purchases, is good. You used the perk card then transferred the balance to a low rate card. When you were done you closed all the accounts. That's great!

I personally don't close the accounts as long as the banks aren't charging me an annual fee. I keep them open because they ALWAYS give me a great offer within a couple months after my balance goes to zero. I don't want to keep applying for new accounts and closing accounts.

It is true that you're going to have a difficult time getting a mortgage if you have many open credit lines--even if the balances are zero. That's because the bank doesn't want you to have the potential to get into credit card trouble since it could affect their mortgage profits.

How many cards are too many?

When you apply for a mortgage the bank may ask you to close some credit card accounts before they grant you a mortgage. When I purchased my home I had 24 credit card accounts and I got the mortgage with no problem and no questions asked. Each bank has it's own lending policies.

As far as having a greater chance of becoming a victim of fraud, I doubt the number of cards is going to make you a greater target. In the last email newsletter my friend, Robert Gamble, told his story of identity theft where someone was trying to get new credit lines in his name.

Actually, when you think about it, someone would have a difficult time getting new credit in my name. If they tried they'd probably get rejected because I have so many accounts right now. If I only had 2 accounts open then it would be much easier for someone to defraud me with identity theft. Ironic isn't it?

And since I don't carry all those credit cards with me, I only carry 2 in my wallet, I don't have to worry about losing the actual cards. Also, I keep a list of all the items in my wallet just in case I do ever lose it. Plus I have every account and every phone number in a database so I can contact each bank if there ever was a problem.

You said that you don't see the point to having that many credit cards. The point is a personal point, Scott's choice, for Scott's reasons. It works for me and may not work for everyone. I attribute getting out of debt to having all those credit cards. I learned how to beat the system by being immersed in it and developing good "Credit Card and Debt Management."

For free information about how we can help you reduce your debt, please fill out our form.

Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management." He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.