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Ten Reasons to Get Out of Debt: Dirty Collector Tricks
While many debt collection agencies perform legitimate work for credit card issuers, banks, and other lenders, some rogue collectors have drawn the attention of law enforcement officials for their dishonest and illegal behavior. If you need some inspiration to get out of debt faster, learn about these ten extreme cases of collector misconduct: Read the…
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Higher Minimum Credit Card Payments Offer Fast Track Out of Debt
In a recent column for the NY Times, Freakonomics authors Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt explained the genius behind the concept of low credit card minimum payments. When studied by academics, test subjects who selected their own minimum payments often paid far more than monthly bank statements required. Read the full article on the CardRatings.com…
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Why I’m Not Shopping at Sears Anymore
(Image courtesy the Manatee County Public Library Historic Photograph Collection, via Malls of America.) Lori and I both grew up in households where Sears was the only place you would ever consider buying appliances. Associates were friendly, and sold you these heavy duty Kenmore appliances that were so sturdy, they rarely needed more than routine…
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Can Spotify Satisfy American Copyright Laws?
As we hear more about Spotify, especially involving mobile apps and in-car services, I fear we might be getting ahead of ourselves. Specifically, I worry that users’ fervor for the system overlooks the core reason why similar concepts have failed in the U.S.: the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Read more at spinme.com…
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Crowdsourcing Your Debt Consolidation Loan
If you’re like most Americans, you’re not quite as connected to your neighbors as your grandparents might have been. Borrowing money from relatives or close friends carries too much emotional baggage, narrowing your options if you’ve exhausted your lines of credit at traditional banks or credit unions. Read the full article at Rebuild.org…
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Francis Coppola Presents Mammarella Pomodoro-Basilico Pasta Sauce
I may have taken leave of my senses. I think I actually just paid $7 for a jar of pasta sauce. And I liked it. Here’s the story. For some reason, I have developed some kind of hypersensitivity to garlic. Still tastes good, and yet it causes me to emanate a horrible stench that causes…
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Can Netbooks Rejuvenate Your Small Business CRM Implementation?
When small business CRM implementations fail, it’s often because members of a small sales team prefer to use their existing tools instead of switching to collaborative CRM systems. Frequent push-back from sales professionals can include… Read more on the CRM Software Blog…
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Chase Ultimate Rewards Debut on Freedom and Sapphire Credit Cards
At a time when many credit card issuers have reduced the benefits on reward cards, executives at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. have announced a new added value program. Chase Freedom and Chase Sapphire cardmembers can now qualify for a new Chase Ultimate Rewards program that promises a “world class” customer experience. Customers earn at…
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Security System
Calvin wishes you a happy Independence Day.
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Top Three Reasons Your Credit Card Company Wants You to Join a Debt Consolidation Program
Long-time credit card industry analysts have watched the business of lending turn itself upside down since the inauguration of President Obama. Consumer frustration over high credit card rates and fees have combined with lawmakers’ willingness to tap into populist financial ideas. As a result, unprecedented credit card regulations have been slated to take effect in…
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Credit Card Industry Leaders Hint of Upcoming Fee and Lending Changes
Bank executives told audiences at recent industry events that pending credit card rules and current economic stress have forced lenders to reinvent themselves. Capital One CFO Gary Perlin told a New York audience that he expected many credit card issuers to restructure their fees. Meanwhile, James Dimon of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. told attendees…
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Entrepreneurs Learn Credit Card Strategies at Speed Coaching Events
Starting a new company in an economic recession often requires three things: a great idea, a generous small business credit card, and solid advice. Officials at American Express OPEN hope to connect entrepreneurs with all three at a series of seven live events throughout the spring and summer. Read more at CardRatings.com…