MONEY-RATES.COM FINANCE TIPS FOR 2007

A leading source of information on bank rates, finance, and investing since 1999, Money-rates.com has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, Barron's, USA Today, Newsweek, and U.S. New and World Report as a valuable resource for individual investors. Here are our 10 finance tips for 2007:

(1) CONSOLIDATE CREDIT CARDS

The next best thing to paying off a credit card is to consolidate or take advantage of introductory offers to lower rates. The average U.S. household has over $11,000 of credit card adding over $1,000 of credit card interest to the average household's costs. The money-rates.com credit card report lists a comparision of various credit cards including cards with excellent introductory rates.

(2) AVOID LATE CHARGES

Banks, mortage lenders, utilities, and credit cards companies have increased late fees in the last year in some cases by more than 50% to as high as $50 for credit card companies and $30 for utilities. Online bill payment is an excellent way to stay on top of bills and avoid late fees..

(3) REFINANCING

One way to take care of credit card debt, auto debt, or student loan debt is to pay it off with a home equity loan. Consumers need to compare the rates they are paying on their loan obligations to the current home equity loan rates and factor in transaction costs before determining if refinancing is a viable option!

(4) INCREASING DEDUCTIBLES ON AUTO INSURANCE

Significant savings can be found by raising deductibles on auto insurance and taking advantage of

(5) SHOP ONLINE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF COUPONS, REBATES, AND REWARDS PROGRAMS

Shopping online has always been economical but even more so with the continual supply of coupons, rebates, and reward programs available. Try coolsavings for an online coupon superstore which consumers rate highly.

Posted 8/30/07