Monday, April 7, 2008
Poor Credit Credit Cards
People who have bad credit have many more credit card options today than they did just a few years ago. Maybe this is contributed to the theory of supply and demand or maybe the credit card companies just realized how much more money they can make by charging high interest rates to people with bad credit. I personally think it may be a little of both.
But no matter what the reason why, there are many credit card companies willing to grant credit to people with bad credit these days. This is good news to those with tarnished credit records. But people with bad credit should evaluate what actions got their credit into bad shape in the first place before applying for more credit. For many people their bad credit is due to uncontrollable circumstances like the loss of a job or medical reasons. But for other people, their bad credit is due to irresponsible financial decisions. If you have bad credit and it was caused by the second reason, it is imperative that you change your credit habits. Otherwise you will never improve your credit score and will always end up paying high interest rates and fees. Higher interest rates are obviously the price you have to pay in order to obtain a credit card if you have bad credit.
Fortunately, if you are responsible with your bad credit credit card and make your monthly payments on time, over time you can improve your credit score and eventually get a lower interest rate. Make sure that the bad credit credit card you are applying for frequently reports to the major credit bureaus. This will insure that your credit score will improve as quickly as possible by having your positive payment activity reported.
There are credit card websites that have researched the best bad credit credit card deals available and have listed them in an easy to read format. Visit www.amex-visa-mastercard.com to look at the details. Many of the bad credit credit cards listed on this site do monthly credit bureau reporting.
We have all run into hard times and made mistakes with our credit activity. Thankfully there are bad credit credit card offers available that will still give you the freedom of having a credit card along with giving you the chance to rebuild your credit.
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About The Author
This article was written by Beth Pardue who has over 10 years of experience in the financial industry assisting clients with assorted financial needs. To learn more about credit cards or to apply for a credit card online please visit: Visit http://www.amex-visa-mastercard.com today!
Not Your Traditional Office Politics
I spent years in deep denial about office politics. I flatly refused to believe it was necessary to play politics in order to succeed. And with a symbolic if not actual stamp of my foot if it was necessary, then Id sacrifice my career on the altar of my disdain!
Many people confound themselves with the same denial and the same definition of office politics: bad, deceitful, backstabbing, brown-nosing all of the slimy things we often think of, both in and out of the office, when we hear the word politics.
Many years later, and after teaching myself and others to navigate successfully through a lot of political undercurrents, my viewpoint has turned around completely. Successful personal politics, both at home and in the office, is nothing more and certainly nothing less than the art of understanding and practicing meaningful, alert, and complete communication.
Lets look at these three components individually.
Meaningful communication has a wide scope, ranging from avoiding the use of jargon and overly technical explanations, to simply being sure were giving our audience what they need. It means giving a useful answer that takes the questioners context into consideration, instead of one that adheres only to the letter of what was asked. It encompasses compassion, understanding when someone needs help even when he or she hasnt said so.
Alert communication means that were paying attention to whats going on around us. When someone does, asks for, or objects to something, the alert communicator has a pretty good idea whats behind those actions: we understand the context within which the person is operating (or at a minimum, we recognize that this context is there). When we understand the context whether or not we agree with it we can participate in a solution where everyone wins, or at least no one loses. When we are alert to communication on all levels verbal and nonverbal, including action or lack of action we can prepare for whatever happens, instead of being startled by it.
Complete communication is akin to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It means leaving nothing out but it doesnt mean using the truth as a blunt instrument to make others feel or look bad. It means providing the context when we ask for something, so that others can understand the why behind our request, and see how their response fits into a bigger picture. And it means saying the important things to friends and family instead of assuming that they know how we feel.
Just like any tool, political ability can be turned to good uses or bad. I can use a hammer to smash a priceless piece of art, or I can use it to tap a finishing nail into a beautiful piece of furniture. In either case, its not the hammer that caused the end result; its what Ive done with the hammer.
Likewise, I can use my political ability to undermine others, turn their ideas into mine, and inflict guilt on anyone who fails to meet my expectations. But Id much rather take the skills Ive learned and they can be learned, though theyre not often taught in todays schools to help others succeed, applaud their achievements, and be clear about what I want and need so others can give me the gift of helping.
(c)Grace L. Judson
About the Author
Grace Judson is the founder and driving force behind Svaha Concepts. She coaches people who are ready to play - and WIN - the game of living life on their own terms.
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