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  • What Does 0% Finance Mean?

    By David

    If you have tried shopping around for a car anytime within the past few years, you have likely heard of 0% finance deals being offered. But what does 0% finance mean? Below, we will take a look at exactly how one would finance a car and some of the benefits and pitfalls of 0% financing.

    Click here to compare 0% financing offers on credit cards, loans, and more.

    What is financing?

    Before we can answer the question “what does 0% finance mean?” we first need to look at what exactly financing is. When you go to purchase a car you have a couple options available to you as they buyer. If you have a large sum of money available, you will probably want to buy the car up front. This is the easiest way to buy a new car, but few people have the money just lying around to purchase a car this way. The other option that is open is to “finance” or lease your car. This basically means that you will pay for your car a little bit at a time over the course of time, and you will typically pay a bit of interest on the purchase for the convenience of being able to get the car now rather than wait till you have all the money. However if you managed to get 0% financing, this means you will not have to pay any interest despite taking advantage of the opportunity to pay over time.

    Click here to compare 0% APR credit cards

    Advantages of 0% financing

    Obviously, the advantage to going with a 0% financing deal is that you are able to pay over-time interest free, meaning you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your purchase. The other advantage, or possibly a disadvantage depending on your financial situation, is that 0% financing offers typically have a shorter term for repayment meaning you will pay more each month, but you will be done paying much sooner.

    Disadvantages of 0% financing

    While the advantages of 0% financing are fairly obvious, to completely answer the question “what does 0% finance mean?” we have to look at some of the possible disadvantages as well. We have already noted that the terms for this type of financing are typically shorter meaning a higher monthly payment, but there are a few more pitfalls to point out. Despite how well advertised these programs are, they are typically only available to those with very good credit (650 or above depending on the dealership). This means that these programs are not going to be available to everyone. In addition, going with a 0% financing plan may save you a few thousand in interest, but a cash rebate offer used as a down payment on a typical leasing plan may actually save you more money than 0% financing would. To figure out which is going to be best for you, you will want to sleep on it at least one night before signing anything, and be sure to do the math.

    With the information above, you now know what 0% financing is and how best you can use it to get the car you have always wanted.

    Click here to compare 0% APR credit cards

  • Ways To Reduce Your Bills

    By David

    In the current economic climate, we are all looking to find ways to reduce our expenses. Many of us have started taking another look at our bills to see if there is anywhere we can cut back. Below are just a few ideas of ways to reduce bills to help you through these difficult times.

    Click here to compare offers and reduce your monthly bills. Save hundreds.

    Cut features

    Many people have little extra features that they signed up for when they first started using certain plans or services that may have been nice at first, but perhaps do not serve much purpose any longer or are just too expensive for what they are. Thankfully, you can typically opt out of such additional features at any time. All you need to do is call up the company in question and let them know that you would like to cancel the features you are no longer using. They will still probably try and talk you into keeping them, but stand firm and realize that it is one of the best ways to reduce your bills.

    Click here to compare offers and reduce your monthly bills. Save hundreds.

    Combine services

    Several companies offer multiple services and will typically offer deals on packaged services that will save you quite a bit of money versus purchasing each service separately. As far as ways to reduce your bills goes this is one of the best ones out there. This option is most prevalent with companies that offer internet, phone, and television services. All of these can be provided through one connection allowing the company to save money on wire installation and maintenance costs. This savings is then passed on to those who choose to go with one of their bundles.

    Cancel services

    Though it may sound extreme, canceling some of your services is one of the most impactful ways to reduce bills in terms of its effects on what you are paying each month. Many people do not realize that they are actually paying bills they do not need to be burdened with. Perhaps you have a gym membership that you haven’t used in months. Why not cancel it and exercise at home with friends, family members, or neighbors? On the other hand, perhaps you are paying for both a wireless phone and a land-line, when you could drop the landline all together. Or maybe you have a few favorite shows you watch on TV, but otherwise do not really use it. If you have a decent internet connection you can watch your shows on the network’s website, or if you do not mind being a season or two behind you can sign up with one of the great “media over the internet” sites available these days and cut the cable bill. There are many options available, you just have to be resourceful enough to see them and brave enough to take advantage of them.

    Now that we have gotten you started with a couple great ideas, try and come up with some of your own as well. The more ways you can think of to save, the more you can reduce those monthly bills and the more you will have for the other important things in life.

    Click here to compare offers and reduce your monthly bills. Save hundreds.

  • Reducing Your Cell Phone Bill

    By David

    As the economy continues to struggle, we are all looking for ways to save money. One way that you can do this is to reduce your cell phone bill. There are several strategies for this worth considering that could save you quite a bit of money.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans and save 100s. Free phone.

    Cut back features

    Almost all modern cell phone users have features attached to their plans. These will often include some sort of texting bundle and typically a data plan of some sort. Rates vary from company to company, but these two features combined can range in cost from $10 all the way up to $40 or more. If you are spending a lot of extra money for your features, try reevaluating your needs to see if there are any places where you might be able to cut back. You can also try making one feature work as another. For instance there are some apps that allow you to text over the internet, rather than through your network allowing you to drop your texting plan altogether.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans and save 100s. Free phone.

    Switch to a value plan

    For most cell phone users, reducing cell phone bill is going to mean taking a look at your current plan. Many cellular service providers offer discounted prepackaged plans that can offer you more for less. They will usually have different levels with a varying degree of minutes that comes with them and different features with each plan. If you do most of your communications on the go through text or do most of your calling through a Wi-Fi connection and the Skype app, you may want to look into getting a plan with fewer minutes or that includes features your using for less than what you are paying for them now to help you reduce your cell phone bill. Alternatively, you could also take a look at a prepaid plan. These are no contract, no commitment plans that will usually give you many more minutes for your money. The downside is of course the upfront cost associated with buying your phone in order to get started. However if you already have a compatible phone this could be a great option to save you some money.

    Shop different carriers

    As you would with any product, you will want to shop around a bit to find the best price for what you need. Though the major carriers are typically going to offer you the most options, some of the many smaller carriers are a great option for reducing cell phone bill. These carriers, because they are smaller, can typically offer you more minutes and features because they are not supporting as large a coverage area. If you do not do a whole lot of traveling and do not mind being without the most cutting edge phones, this could be a good option for you.

    Armed with the knowledge above, you now know just a few ways to go about lowering your monthly cell phone bills without making too great a number of sacrifices in order to do so.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans and save 100s. Free phone.

  • No Annual Contract Cell Phone

    By David

    We all know how volatile the economy is these days, and while things may be going well for us now, that may not still be the case 3 months from now. For this reason many of us want to avoid getting locked in to a cell phone plan that we may end up not being able to pay for. That is why today we are taking a look at no annual contract cell phones and two different options you can use to get started.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans, including plans that include a free phone with activation.

    Prepaid Cell Phone

    The first type of no annual contract cell phone is the prepaid phone. These types of phones have a few advantages and disadvantages associated with them in comparison to a typical contract plan.

    1)      Buying your phone – With a prepaid phone you are required to purchase your cell phone upfront. This means that you may have to put up anywhere from $20 to $200 depending on how nice a phone you would like to have

    2)      Older phones – Typically for these types of cell phones, you will not be able to get the very latest in cell phone technology. Still this can be beneficial since you will be paying for your phone upfront

    3)      Phone time & minute cards – In order to keep your phone active, you will need to purchase a phone time card and enter the code into your phone. These can keep your phone active for a few months at a time, are not terribly expensive, and usually provide a limited number of minutes as well. If you need more minutes, you can add another time card or add a minute card in the same way.

    No Contract Cell Phone

    As the name implies, these are no annual contract cell phones that are a little different than your traditional prepaid phones. They too have some unique advantages and disadvantages associate with their operation.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans, including plans that include a free phone with activation.

    1)      Buying your phone – Like with a prepaid phone, you will have to purchase your mobile device up front. However, with this type of phone you can usually get phones that are on par with the newest phones available.

    2)      Plans and rates – Once you have your phone you will sign up for a plan with the company associated with your phone. They will send you the SIM card for your device. Just install it and start using your phone. This allows you to get the same kind of plans (and typically better rates) as contract phones, without being tied in to anything.

    3)      Smartphones and Data – Since you will be able to use the same types of plans, you can use the same types of services and phones, meaning you can still have your smartphone and data plan without the long term commitment.

    So if you have got the cash on hand to purchase your cell phone up front, or already have one that will work with the service provider and plan you would like to use, then a no annual contract cell phone may be the best and most economical choice for you.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans, including plans that include a free phone with activation.

  • How To Get Ringtones

    By David

    If you are new to the world of cell phones or just started learning how to personalize them to better reflect you, you may be wondering how to get ringtones that you like onto your phone. To help you get started we will explore a few options for getting new ringtones.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans. Free phones with activation. Download ringtones to your new phone. Free comparison tools.

    Through your phone

    The easiest answer to the question “how to get ringtones” is typically to download new ringtones directly to your phone. This can be done by turning on your phone and going to your mobile store. There should be an icon for it somewhere on the main page, but if not, there will be one with a list of your other applications. This will be true even for those not yet using smartphones. Select the store icon, and it will open a page were you can begin searching for things to purchase. Search for ringtones, and shortly, you will have a long list of options to choose from. To get a shorter list, try more specific search parameters or adding filters to the search. Once purchased, these new ringtones can be selected and used like usual.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans. Free phones with activation. Download ringtones to your new phone. Free comparison tools.

    Through your computer

    If you are still not sure how to get ringtones, you can try getting them online. There are literally hundreds of websites for this. Just do a search for ringtones on your preferred search engine and select one that looks good to you. Some have you pay per ring tone while others charge a monthly fee for as many tones as you want to download that month. Typically, you can download these to your computer and then transfer them to the phone using a link cord, Bluetooth connection, email, and many sites will be able to send the ringtones directly to your phone by simply inputting your phone number.

    Create your own

    If neither of these options is how you’d like to get your ringtones and you happen to already have  the songs you are wanting to turn into ringtones either on your phone or computer you can make your own ringtones. On your phone, there are many free applications you can download to accomplish this and most will have an on the computer version as well. Just choose the song you want to have as a ringtone and start editing. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you can turn all of your favorite songs into ringtones. If you are doing your editing on the computer, you can transfer your ringtones to your phone using a USB link cable, a Bluetooth wireless connection, or you could even email the new ring tones to an account you receive on your phone or text them to your phone using one of a number of different programs available online.

    Now that we have got you started, you can find or create the perfect ringtone for any person or situation. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and find all those great ringtones for your ever more personalized cell phone.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans. Free phones with activation. Download ringtones to your new phone. Free comparison tools.

  • How To Get A Phone Plan

    By David

    With all the numerous options available these days, you might be wondering how to get a phone plan that is right for you. Though it seems complicated, it is actually not as daunting as it sounds. In just three easy steps, we will show you where to start and where to go from there in order to find your perfect phone plan.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans. Free phone with activation.

    Choose a carrier

    The first and most important decision you are going to make in learning how to get a phone plan is deciding what carrier you would like to use for the service. Do not be fooled into thinking that there are only 2 or 3 to choose from. In fact there are many options and any of them could be right for you. So take a look at what each has to offer, make sure they have coverage for your home and places you frequently travel, and see if they have got any offers that sound good to you. Once you have narrowed down your list a bit, go ahead and move on to the next step.

    Choose a plan and services

    The next choice you will have to make when figuring out how to get a phone plan is what kind of plan you want to go with. Like there were with carriers, each carrier is going to have several different types of plans to choose from that are built for the needs of different individuals. While your options may vary, this will typically include a number of minutes at the very least and possibly some sort of texting and or data plans as well. You want to pick a plan that is going to give you what you need for the cheapest price, so obviously, if you never text, you won’t need a plan that includes texting. In addition to your plan, you can typically also add services. This allows you the option to customize what you are getting. For instance if you do not intend to talk much and you never text, but want to do a lot of data intensive activities on your phone like downloading apps or streaming videos, you could get a simple plan with low minutes and add a large data service for less than you could typically get a pre-made bundle with the things you need. This is because a bundle typically will scale all your services at the same time, so if you need unlimited data, they will want to give you unlimited everything else as well, even though you do not need it.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans. Free phone with activation.

    Choose features and extras

    Once you have decided on a carrier and plan, you just have to decide what little extras you would like with your service. Typically this will include a new phone when you sign up, but other features and perks are available and will vary depending on your chosen carrier.

    Now, you have a good idea of where to start in your search for the best phone carriers for you and how to go about getting a phone plan that is within your budget and meets your needs.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans. Free phone with activation.

  • Cellular Wireless Phones

    By David

    Many of us utilize cell phones, but how many of us truly know how they work? Cellular wireless phones are a significant step forward in our level of technology and interconnectedness and are worth understanding.

    Click here to compare cellular phone plans. Free phones, unlimited plans, and so much more. Free comparison tools

    Mobile phone

    The most noticeable piece in the cellular wireless phone puzzle is the handheld unit we know as the cell phone. This remarkable device has evolved over time to allow us to manage our schedules, do math calculations, record voice notes, keep a record of our contacts, surf the web, text friends, and oh yes, talk to one another over great distances instantaneously without the need for a long cord stretched between the two devices. This cellular technology turns what you say into data and sends it via radio waves to the closest cellular tower and eventually on to whomever you are talking to. Their cell phone reconverts the data back into sound. These little devices have not only changed the way we communicate, but the way we live.

    Click here to compare cellular phone plans. Free phones, unlimited plans, and so much more. Free comparison tools

    Cellular tower

    The next stage of technology we must discuss when talking about cellular wireless technology is the cell tower. These are tall radio towers that are ideally placed at the highest local point in order to get the best reception possible even in mountainous or hilly terrain. While a mountain would not strictly speaking stop a radio signal, it does deflect it from its original path thus preventing a poorly placed tower from connecting with mobile devices on the other side. Assuming no complications, a cell tower will receive signals from cell phones and forward them along to their intended recipient. If the recipient is using the same tower this is done directly where as if the two devices are using different towers the signal will typically be forwarded to a satellite before continuing its journey.

    Satellite

    The last bit of cellular wireless technology to discuss is the satellite system. When two cell phones are separated by a great distance a cell tower will pass the signal through a satellite in geosynchronous orbit (meaning it stays over one geographical location all the time) which will then either forward this message to another satellite in the network in a better position or directly to the appropriate tower. The reason a typical cell phone does not communicate directly with the satellite network is because its signal simply is not strong enough to reach it. A cell phone needs the help of the stronger signals that come from towers to reach a satellite. Satellites are used in this manner because it removes the potential for any obstacles to be in the way of the signal. However, it is the use of these satellites that causes problems with cell reception during a solar flare. In such an event, the satellites are actually shut down and sealed to prevent damage from the burst of ions, consequently, temporarily interrupting cellular communications.

    Now that you understand how cell phones work, you can truly appreciate the amazing bit of technology we use every day.

    Click here to compare cellular phone plans. Free phones, unlimited plans, and so much more. Free comparison tools

  • Best Wireless Carriers

    By David

    While there are many options available when it comes to wireless carriers, finding the one that is best for you is not always an easy task. Your best wireless carriers will be determined by your own personal needs and how well they can be met by one carrier over another. With that in mind, here is a guide to choosing the best wireless carrier for you.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans. Some plans include a free cell phone on activation. Free comparison of multiple providers.

    Coverage Area

    When trying to determine your best wireless carriers, you will want to first look at their coverage area and see if your location falls within its bounds. While 1000 minutes for only $10 a month is a great deal, it is somewhat less convenient if you have to travel 50 miles to use those minutes. Look for companies with coverage that will cover your home and those places you frequently travel. If they are unable to provide you with service, it just does not make sense to contract with them and thus, those companies can be ruled out immediately.

    Features

    Likely you are going to want some pretty good features from your best wireless carriers so you will want to do some online window shopping and see what companies that you have not ruled out so far have the features you want. If you do a lot of texting, it will of course be important that they have competitive texting plans. If you want to do a lot of smart phone computing outside of a Wi-Fi area, you will probably want a company that provides 3 or maybe even 4G connection speeds. Whatever you would like to be able to do with your phone, decide which features are vital, and which are optional before you start price shopping.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans. Some plans include a free cell phone on activation. Free comparison of multiple providers.

    Rates

    Now that you have determined what companies have coverage you can use and provide the features you must have, you probably have a fairly narrow list. At this point the determining factor will be price. Pick a plan and must have features for each of the still eligible companies and the lowest price could be your new cell phone provider. If you do not mind doing a little online research, you could find out if any of them have special deals going on at the time that you could lock-in for an even better rate, or even try calling the customer service departments to see if they can do anything for you to secure your loyalty. Even if this effort is fruitless, you will at least know that you are getting what you want from your phone service provider for the best price you can find.

    Now that you have found a cell provider that will give you what you want for a reasonable amount, do not be content. If you went without a contract, be ever vigilant for deals from other companies to switch to or use as leverage for better rates from you current provider. If you ended up with a contract, just be sure to research other options around renewal time.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans. Some plans include a free cell phone on activation. Free comparison of multiple providers.

  • The Three Pillars Of Frugal Living

    By John

    People are increasingly looking for ways to save money these days. Amongst many useful suggestions, ‘frugal living’ is often put forward as if it were an option for saving  similar to moving to a smaller house, or buying solar panels. But it is more than that. The word ‘frugality’ originates from the Latin word for fruit and is now defined as the quality of being variously restrained or moderate in spending habits, or simply economical. For us the best adjective is ‘prudent’ and as such, frugal living should be the way of life for all of us, especially those looking to save money.

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    Here is our list of the top three pillars of frugal living:

    Make frugal living your way of life

    Frugal living does not mean economizing to the extent of removing all life’s pleasures. It means thinking about your lifestyle and spending habits and finding ways to balance the two against your disposable income. It means identifying the areas where you are unnecessarily extravagant and adjusting them to free up money for other purposes. It means constantly wondering if there isn’t a cheaper or more economical way of doing whatever it is you’re doing.

    Make better use of what you have

    A good place to start is with managing your money. You need to check that you really are getting the best value out of your insurance policies, for instance. There are so many variations and as your circumstances change, so may your requirements. You certainly need to consider the ways you use and pay off your credit cards. Paying interest on plastic is a complete waste of money and paying off these and other debts should be your top priority and aim in saving money.

    Energy consumption is another are where you can save money. Frugal living means only using water, electricity and gas as and when you need to – hence  turning off running water when you don’t need it, and switching off appliances when you’re not using them, and lights when you don’t need them.

    You can economize by throwing away less good food and using leftovers in different dishes. The web is awash with recipes for cheap and healthy meals made with leftovers.

    Click here to compare multiple offers and save hundreds of dollars on cell phones, long distance, credit cards, insurance, mortgages, and so much more. Free comparison tools.

    Clothing can be re-cycled, re-worn and repaired.

    You should do an honest appraisal of your transport requirements. Do you really need two, or three, cars? Could you manage with a smaller one than you have? And it’s certain you could make less local trips with better planning. While on cars, there are many minor maintenance jobs you can do yourself to save money on trips to the garage.

    Your internet, cable and phone expenditure need to be examined. Bundling services with one provider will save you money, as will dropping TV channels you don’t watch. Does your mobile data plan fit your pattern of usage? Can you drop the landline altogether?

    As for those gym and other club memberships, if you really need them, can you possibly get a reduction in fees on different terms? Many things are negotiable.

    Prudent expenditure

    Frugal living means not buying stuff that you don’t need, and trying to avoid paying the full price for pretty well anything, since there is almost always a legitimate way to get a discount. When buying groceries and household requirements this means thorough research, comparison-shopping, and using coupons and taking advantage of freebies whenever possible. You should cut down on prepared meals and snacks and prepare them yourself. The same thing goes for that coffee you stop by to pick up on the way to work – can’t you make it and take it? You probably don’t really need bottled water, do you?

    When buying clothes frugal living means examining your attachment to brands and going for value rather than simply low price. It may mean being prepared to buy used items, such as cars and maybe kitchen appliances, at a big reduction in price but only a minor reduction in value.

    You can live frugally without sacrificing all the things you like. It basically takes prudence and self-restraint.

    Click here to compare multiple offers and save hundreds of dollars on cell phones, long distance, credit cards, insurance, mortgages, and so much more. Free comparison tools.

  • Credit Scams: What You Should Know

    Credit scams have been prevalent ever since credit reports became the mainstay in the decision making process. From companies promising to give you a new identity to credit repair scam artists charging hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars to make the negative items on your credit report “vanish”, illegal scams have damaged the reputation, personal data, and wallets of millions of innocent consumers.

    The truth is that if you devote a little time and effort toward improving your credit history, you can take care of most of the issues on your own. It will take some education, research, and hard work but you would be much safer by taking matters in your hands, at least if you go about doing it the right way. If absolutely necessary, you can seek out a credit counselor, attorney, or non-profit organization approved by your local authorities. There are plenty of free services that would be in a better position to assist you.

    Click here to compare credit card offers for all credit levels. Compare 0% APR credit card offers and save money every month.

    No one can grant you a high score

    Credit reporting agencies work with multiple variables, historical data, statistical tools, and extremely sophisticated algorithms to assign each individual a credit score. If a company promises to increase your credit score in exchange for money, you should be careful. You can’t just tweak someone’s credit score. It is not an editable number. If it were, over a third of the country wouldn’t be having credit issues today. We could all just pay someone to login to a national database and, voila, brand new credit score.

    A lot of time, effort, and planning have to be expended in order to improve your credit score. Working with a counselor can help you in terms of outlining a plan, developing strategies, and accessing resources, but that in itself is by no means a guarantee. Furthermore, you can take some basic precautions yourself.

    You may want to read our article about improving your credit score.

    Instant repairs are a sign of credit scam

    There is no quick fix when it comes to credit reports. It takes time to rebuild a damaged report. One needs to work systematically to improve various components that go into the credit report. Timely payment, ratio of balance due to total available credit, total credit available, and other similar parameters must be systematically targeted in order to achieve measurable gains on your credit report.

    Credit scam originators promise to eliminate negative items

    Invariably people fall for promises that claim to remove negative items magically. You can’t just remove a negative item from a credit report without going through a process. Furthermore, there must be a valid reason (such as inaccurate information) to request a review of your credit report. Money can’t make the negatives vanish. Be wary of companies that promise to just get rid of the negative items on your report.

    Click here to compare credit card offers for all credit levels. Compare 0% APR credit card offers and save money every month.

    Like other variables, if you see an item that is incorrect, you can contact the credit reporting agency yourself. No one needs to do the work on your behalf.

    We’ll give you a new identity

    If that’s what your credit scammer is promising you, run! To the best of our knowledge it would be illegal to create a new identity just to start afresh. Sounds like a Hollywood movie setup or a James Bond styled secret ID swap plot. Doesn’t work in the real world. Sorry!

    Let’s piggyback you on someone else’s report

    Sorry, but that doesn’t sound right either. First, you are providing extremely sensitive information about yourself to an unknown person — and thereby jeopardizing your security and privacy. Second, we would need to check the regulations on that.

    Let’s get a blank form signed

    Unless you want to give your life away to someone, you wouldn’t sign a blank form that gives the other party unlimited authority to act on your behalf. Never sign blank paperwork. If you are unsure, speak to a licensed attorney or a non-profit organization in your local area.

    DontSpendMore.com is a free site that allows you to compare and save on credit cards, cell phones, long distance, loans, insurance, mortgages, and so much more. Find out for yourself how much you can save.

    Most credit scam originators would contact you in an unsolicited manner, either via direct mail campaigns or e-mails. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it may not be. You may also want to read some credit scam tips provided by FTC (Federal Trade Commission).