Last year Boston won 66 regular season games. But do anyone think they’ll win over 55 this year? ?

Dec 032011
 

1. z-Boston —
2. y-Detroit 7.0
3. y-Orlando 14.0
4. x-Cleveland 21.0
5. x-Washington 23.0
6. x-Toronto 25.0
7. x-Philadelphia 26.0
8. x-Atlanta 29.0
9. Indiana 30.0
10. New Jersey 32.0
11. Chicago 33.0
12. Charlotte 34.0
13. Milwaukee 40.0
14. New York 43.0
15. Miami 51.0

Western Conference
Team GB
1. z-LA Lakers —
2. y-New Orleans 1.0
3. x-San Antonio 1.0
4. y-Utah 3.0
5. x-Houston 2.0
6. x-Phoenix 2.0
7. x-Dallas 6.0
8. x-Denver 7.0
9. Golden State 9.0
10. Portland 16.0
11. Sacramento 19.0
12. LA Clippers 34.0
13. Minnesota 35.0
14. Memphis 35.0
15. Oklahoma City 37.0

Denver at 7.0 was in 8th place in the west while in the east Detriot at 7.0 was in second place.

Look for boston to be abit worn come the post season, they gave too many sorry teams alot of hope and encouragement and they will have way more competition on the east coast this season with a target on their backs.

Now that everyone was made a believer. Teams will be prepared and ready. This year they will be tested rather or not they have the old Celtic consistency as is the Lakers.

“llllllllllllllllets get ready to rummmble!”

Refinancing a mortgage: Need 20% equity?

Dec 022011
 

Don’t know much about refinancing. I am currently on a mortgage alone, but would like to add my wife through a re-finance down the road. I went FHA because I didn’t have a down payment of 20%. If I try to go to my local credit union, are they likely to require that the home appraises above 20% of what I owe?

For example, let’s say I bought my home, through FHA and finance at $ 200,000. If market conditions improve by the time I’ve paid the principal down 5%, will a bank appraise at market values or will they appraise at the value I owe on the former loan? i.e. even if comps in my area appraise at $ 228,000+ they will appraise my home at my current mortgage encumbrance of $ 190,000?

I know appraisers typically “hit the target” or base their appraisals on the asking price of the sale. Not sure what happens with refinances. Do they try to hit the target of over 20% of what you owe or just outright deny the refinance if haven’t paid down 20% of the principal?

How to Shop on Cyber Monday

Dec 022011
 

Cyber Monday has quickly become a holiday shopper’s favorite time of year, especially for those who aren’t interested in lacing up a pair of boxing gloves and bashing it out with another exhausted housewife for the last “Team Edward” t-shirt at Target. Although Cyber Monday may provide you with a reprieve from Black Friday Fight Club, there are still a few things you need to know before your fingers shop until they drop.

Edit Steps

  1. Know what you want to buy. Since you will be able to jump from item to item with the greatest of ease from your cozy seat, not having a list risks leading you down the path of credit card disaster. Consumers are meant to be led astray by all the pretty graphics and animation, telling them that they must purchase this item because there are only three left. Stand strong and stick to your list the entire time.

    • If you find yourself ogling the electronic miniature dalek that marches up and down your desk for sheer amusement or a set of Ninja cookie cutters but you never even had the intention of owning such products, slap yourself back to reality. You don’t need these gimmicks, no matter how cheap or cute they seem.
  2. Devise a budget before you start shopping online. As with any shopping endeavor, know the limits of what you can spend before you shop. The best way to determine how much you can afford is to calculate your total monthly expense as compared to your net income. Add in any money you’ve socked away for the holidays to determine how much you can spend. Or, if you’ve always spent a certain amount of money every holiday season and seemed to pay off your bills with ease within a few months, use that total as your guide.
    • Another way you can stick to your budget is to transfer money via PayPal to make your purchases. Doing this is virtually like paying with cash––when you’re out of dough, it’s time to stop shopping.
  3. Research and do comparisons between merchants and prices. Not only should you do a quick price comparison at least a week before Cyber Monday, you should also know each site’s shipping policy. Generally speaking, free shipping is the goal. However, avoid getting caught up with any offer along the lines of “buy $ 100 worth of merchandise for free shipping” at sites where you only want one item. This could cause you to purchase items you don’t really want or need (like those Ninja cookie cutters). Other research you should do includes:
    • Select several of the big-ticket items (such as a TV, iPods or computers) you want to buy and find prices from a minimum of three different vendors. Having three prices will give you the best way to compare the Cyber Monday deal and determine if you are really getting a bargain. Plus it will give you an idea of which vendor is offering the best deal.
    • Identify sites that allow you to purchase numerous items for a good price, along with free shipping. Superstores like WalMart, Target, Costco and Sam’s typically give you more bang for your buck (and most likely free shipping) when it comes to a diverse number of items.
    • Avoid weird, unfamiliar or gimmicky sites. This isn’t the time to test drive a new vendor with no track record––this is holiday shopping for goodness sake… we’re talking serious stuff. Stick to the merchants you know so you can trust that your item will arrive on time.
    • Look only for secure sites. Since you will be transmitting your personal financial information to the vendor through the site, look for seals like the yellow padlock symbol or “Verified by Visa.” Also, examine the URL. A secure URL starts with https (s for secure) and not simply http.
    • Pay attention to “hidden” additional costs such as taxes and handling expenses. They’ll be noted there but usually only after your heart is set on buying and you’ve already worked through the initial payment steps. Or, they’ll be in tiny print at the bottom of the page. Also, some merchants only provide free shipping for some items and not others on the same site, so scrutinize the sale terms carefully to know which items you’ll get for free.
  4. Know what’s worth buying on Cyber Monday. Some merchandise is typically a better deal than others. The word on the street is that the best items to shop for on Cyber Monday include:
    • Electronics. Aside from it being Cyber Monday, experts say that you can get a better deal on a computer on a Monday versus any other day of the week.[1] Other electronics to look for include cameras, TVs, Apple merchandise, video games and video gaming systems.
    • Appliances. Cyber Monday is a great time to get the cook of the house the blender of his or her dreams. Other good deals can be found on washing machines and dryers, refrigerators and ovens. Tread carefully when it comes to buying home appliances, like a blender, for gift purposes––you don’t want your rare edition Bob Dylan CD being blended along with your spouse’s banana smoothie… Think household gift rather than personal gift.
    • Toys. Look for popular electronic and fad toys to be on sale. It’s typically a good idea to nab those items early as they sell out fast. Parents may also want to consider the longevity of the toy before purchasing. Recall the “Tickle Me Elmo” fad from years gone by––how many of the kids whose parents beat each other black and blue for the last toy are still playing with Tickle me Elmo? Or care?
    • Travel. Thinking about giving the gift of plane tickets this holiday season? Cyber Monday is a great time to check for deep discounts on airfares, hotels and vacation packages. It’s also a good time to consider sending your mother-in-law to Barbados for the holidays, on your dime.
  5. Hit the sales early. Like Black Friday, the early bird gets the worm for Cyber Monday too. If you are awake at midnight, grab a cuppa Joe and start shopping! As with shopping in the stores, some online merchants offer the equivalent of “door buster deals”, which means the offer only stands for a limited time. Some sites will have clocks ticking over with a measure showing how few of the deal are left.
    • If you do wish to buy something that has a limited time availability at that sale price and everyone else seems to be clamoring for it, beware the rush of this pressure sales tactic getting to you. You still need to ask yourself “Do I need this, is this what I set out to actually buy?” and not be simply taken in by the speed with which you need to make the buying decision. A good site will reserve the product for five minutes to allow you time to work through the different payment pages; use these five minutes to make the right choice.
  6. Check coupon deals. Whether you participate in Groupon or receive special offers from your favorite retailers, gather your coupons the night before Cyber Monday. Be sure you read the fine print, as some merchants may exclude use on certain days like Cyber Monday.
  7. Keep all receipts from purchases. Take a screenshot copy and keep the email copy. If anything goes wrong, such as the item not turning up, the item turning up damaged, the item not being what you ordered or it just isn’t what you want, you’ll need these receipts as proof of purchase.
    • It is also a good idea to check out the return terms and conditions, as well as shipping coverage for returned items. Some stores allow returns for a change of mind and cover the shipping costs for return while many others don’t. And some stores have very strict return policies. Know these before you buy by doing some research the night before.

Edit Tips

  • Check Cyber Monday message boards like Slickdeals.net or Fatwallet.com for insider tips and deals on specific merchants.
  • Avoid getting sidetracked by other items. Stick to the list, no matter what. It’s easy to give in to impulse buying if you see a good deal on something, even though you may not need it.
  • Keep a calculator at your computer desk or use the one on your desktop. Cyber shopping can be dangerous because you aren’t physically seeing and gathering the number of items you’re purchasing––this can sometimes lead to over buying. If you keep a running total next to your computer you’ll feel the financial “pain” a little easier, which will hopefully stop you when you’ve hit your budget ceiling.

Edit Warnings

  • Read the merchant’s return policy before you click “buy.” Unless you want to be married to the item, make sure you can return the item without penalties, meaning you won’t have to pay for shipping the item back to the retailer.
  • Only pay via secure sites. Do not give out your credit card details to a site lacking the https protocol.

Edit Things You’ll Need

  • Internet access
  • Budget
  • List of things you want
  • Researched information on deals, terms and conditions and return policies

Edit Related DealNests

  • How to Shop Online Without a Credit Card
  • How to Shop Online Safely
  • How to Find Online Shopping Promotion Codes

Edit Sources and Citations

Article Tools

  • Read on DealNest
  • Email this Article
  • Edit
  • Discuss

How to Shop on Cyber Monday

Dec 022011
 

Cyber Monday has quickly become a holiday shopper’s favorite time of year, especially for those who aren’t interested in lacing up a pair of boxing gloves and bashing it out with another exhausted housewife for the last “Team Edward” t-shirt at Target. Although Cyber Monday may provide you with a reprieve from Black Friday Fight Club, there are still a few things you need to know before your fingers shop until they drop.

Edit Steps

  1. Know what you want to buy. Since you will be able to jump from item to item with the greatest of ease from your cozy seat, not having a list risks leading you down the path of credit card disaster. Consumers are meant to be led astray by all the pretty graphics and animation, telling them that they must purchase this item because there are only three left. Stand strong and stick to your list the entire time.

    • If you find yourself ogling the electronic miniature dalek that marches up and down your desk for sheer amusement or a set of Ninja cookie cutters but you never even had the intention of owning such products, slap yourself back to reality. You don’t need these gimmicks, no matter how cheap or cute they seem.
  2. Devise a budget before you start shopping online. As with any shopping endeavor, know the limits of what you can spend before you shop. The best way to determine how much you can afford is to calculate your total monthly expense as compared to your net income. Add in any money you’ve socked away for the holidays to determine how much you can spend. Or, if you’ve always spent a certain amount of money every holiday season and seemed to pay off your bills with ease within a few months, use that total as your guide.
    • Another way you can stick to your budget is to transfer money via PayPal to make your purchases. Doing this is virtually like paying with cash––when you’re out of dough, it’s time to stop shopping.
  3. Research and do comparisons between merchants and prices. Not only should you do a quick price comparison at least a week before Cyber Monday, you should also know each site’s shipping policy. Generally speaking, free shipping is the goal. However, avoid getting caught up with any offer along the lines of “buy $ 100 worth of merchandise for free shipping” at sites where you only want one item. This could cause you to purchase items you don’t really want or need (like those Ninja cookie cutters). Other research you should do includes:
    • Select several of the big-ticket items (such as a TV, iPods or computers) you want to buy and find prices from a minimum of three different vendors. Having three prices will give you the best way to compare the Cyber Monday deal and determine if you are really getting a bargain. Plus it will give you an idea of which vendor is offering the best deal.
    • Identify sites that allow you to purchase numerous items for a good price, along with free shipping. Superstores like WalMart, Target, Costco and Sam’s typically give you more bang for your buck (and most likely free shipping) when it comes to a diverse number of items.
    • Avoid weird, unfamiliar or gimmicky sites. This isn’t the time to test drive a new vendor with no track record––this is holiday shopping for goodness sake… we’re talking serious stuff. Stick to the merchants you know so you can trust that your item will arrive on time.
    • Look only for secure sites. Since you will be transmitting your personal financial information to the vendor through the site, look for seals like the yellow padlock symbol or “Verified by Visa.” Also, examine the URL. A secure URL starts with https (s for secure) and not simply http.
    • Pay attention to “hidden” additional costs such as taxes and handling expenses. They’ll be noted there but usually only after your heart is set on buying and you’ve already worked through the initial payment steps. Or, they’ll be in tiny print at the bottom of the page. Also, some merchants only provide free shipping for some items and not others on the same site, so scrutinize the sale terms carefully to know which items you’ll get for free.
  4. Know what’s worth buying on Cyber Monday. Some merchandise is typically a better deal than others. The word on the street is that the best items to shop for on Cyber Monday include:
    • Electronics. Aside from it being Cyber Monday, experts say that you can get a better deal on a computer on a Monday versus any other day of the week.[1] Other electronics to look for include cameras, TVs, Apple merchandise, video games and video gaming systems.
    • Appliances. Cyber Monday is a great time to get the cook of the house the blender of his or her dreams. Other good deals can be found on washing machines and dryers, refrigerators and ovens. Tread carefully when it comes to buying home appliances, like a blender, for gift purposes––you don’t want your rare edition Bob Dylan CD being blended along with your spouse’s banana smoothie… Think household gift rather than personal gift.
    • Toys. Look for popular electronic and fad toys to be on sale. It’s typically a good idea to nab those items early as they sell out fast. Parents may also want to consider the longevity of the toy before purchasing. Recall the “Tickle Me Elmo” fad from years gone by––how many of the kids whose parents beat each other black and blue for the last toy are still playing with Tickle me Elmo? Or care?
    • Travel. Thinking about giving the gift of plane tickets this holiday season? Cyber Monday is a great time to check for deep discounts on airfares, hotels and vacation packages. It’s also a good time to consider sending your mother-in-law to Barbados for the holidays, on your dime.
  5. Hit the sales early. Like Black Friday, the early bird gets the worm for Cyber Monday too. If you are awake at midnight, grab a cuppa Joe and start shopping! As with shopping in the stores, some online merchants offer the equivalent of “door buster deals”, which means the offer only stands for a limited time. Some sites will have clocks ticking over with a measure showing how few of the deal are left.
    • If you do wish to buy something that has a limited time availability at that sale price and everyone else seems to be clamoring for it, beware the rush of this pressure sales tactic getting to you. You still need to ask yourself “Do I need this, is this what I set out to actually buy?” and not be simply taken in by the speed with which you need to make the buying decision. A good site will reserve the product for five minutes to allow you time to work through the different payment pages; use these five minutes to make the right choice.
  6. Check coupon deals. Whether you participate in Groupon or receive special offers from your favorite retailers, gather your coupons the night before Cyber Monday. Be sure you read the fine print, as some merchants may exclude use on certain days like Cyber Monday.
  7. Keep all receipts from purchases. Take a screenshot copy and keep the email copy. If anything goes wrong, such as the item not turning up, the item turning up damaged, the item not being what you ordered or it just isn’t what you want, you’ll need these receipts as proof of purchase.
    • It is also a good idea to check out the return terms and conditions, as well as shipping coverage for returned items. Some stores allow returns for a change of mind and cover the shipping costs for return while many others don’t. And some stores have very strict return policies. Know these before you buy by doing some research the night before.

Edit Tips

  • Check Cyber Monday message boards like Slickdeals.net or Fatwallet.com for insider tips and deals on specific merchants.
  • Avoid getting sidetracked by other items. Stick to the list, no matter what. It’s easy to give in to impulse buying if you see a good deal on something, even though you may not need it.
  • Keep a calculator at your computer desk or use the one on your desktop. Cyber shopping can be dangerous because you aren’t physically seeing and gathering the number of items you’re purchasing––this can sometimes lead to over buying. If you keep a running total next to your computer you’ll feel the financial “pain” a little easier, which will hopefully stop you when you’ve hit your budget ceiling.

Edit Warnings

  • Read the merchant’s return policy before you click “buy.” Unless you want to be married to the item, make sure you can return the item without penalties, meaning you won’t have to pay for shipping the item back to the retailer.
  • Only pay via secure sites. Do not give out your credit card details to a site lacking the https protocol.

Edit Things You’ll Need

  • Internet access
  • Budget
  • List of things you want
  • Researched information on deals, terms and conditions and return policies

Edit Related DealNests

  • How to Shop Online Without a Credit Card
  • How to Shop Online Safely
  • How to Find Online Shopping Promotion Codes

Edit Sources and Citations

Article Tools

  • Read on DealNest
  • Email this Article
  • Edit
  • Discuss

Target Visa

Dec 052010
 

I couldn’t find anything about this on the forums… Target isn’t issuing Visa cards anymore, it looks like the only options are the store card or a debit card. Once my Visa card expires will they issue a store card or am I grand-fathered in for the Visa?

Credit
byI-5 Design & Manufacture

I am thinking of those who do not have a credit card and pay for everything by check and cash. How is their credit rated? Is it based on a loan for example (car, student, etc.) and what if it is their first time applying for such a loan? How is their credit history looked at then? What if someone is applying for an apartment rental and does now own a credit card?

I have always wondered this.

Also, some people, after having paid off their debt, switch to using cash or check only, but apparently no activity at all on your credit card accounts isn’t good either.

Any input?

I have a debt of 897.00 on my credit score that has been paid already, I need to build my credit to buy a car my credit score is 550 and I’m not planning on getting a credit card to build my credit. How can I build my credit?

Target, GW success!

Nov 302010
 

It seems that the target is a known fact that GW-friendly, but I feel like a huge victory stlll! Just a letter that they remove my 2008 pay all credit bureaus.:) It has already been separated from TU is now 669, it is still EQ (currently 640), but I’m so excited! This was my worst of the remaining villains – the rest is just a few 30 – and 60-days for the reason that I hope to get away for the next 6 months or years. It was the third letter from Target and it was your basic GW letter to the printer using the very useful models for this forum. Many thanks for your help, everyone! For Sale

For the record, I sent:

Targets Financial Services for Sale NOTE: Credit Dept.

Mail Stop F-5C

PO Box 673

Minneapolis, MN 55 440

Remove my oldest account?

Nov 242010
 

Hi All, 

 

My oldest acct is a paid/charge off Target store card that was opened in 1995. Basically, a relative had opened it while I was in school and listed herself as an AU and didn’t keep up with the payments. I didn’t know about it till I checked my credit report in 05 (When I started becoming a responsible adult!)  It has multiple lates and shows up as a negative factor. I’m considering writing target a GW to have it removed, but I have a dilemma.

 

Right now my AAoA is around 7 years.  I have have 6 revolving lines of credit with different ages, as shown below.

 

Target: 14yrs, 11mos

Orchard MC: 4yrs, 4mos

NFCU Visa: 9mos

Cap 1 MC: 9mos

NFCU MC: 2mos

NFCU NavChek: 2mos

Cap1 Visa: 2mos

 

I was thinking about sending a GW to them, but was wondering if it going to hurt me more than help me if Target was removed, because it would severely drop my AAoA. But removing it would remove all but one account reporting negatives (Orchard… already launched my GW attack!) Any thoughts…

 

 

Question on Target reconsideration after Paid charge off

Oct 252010
 

I had a Target card I opened back in 2006, then I was late from late 2007 and once it was charged off in Jan of 2008 I paid it in full.  It is still on my reports obviously, but wanted to know if any one had any experience of Target forgiving and if so how soon after a charge off?  I always am shopping at Target and with the new incentives was playing with the notion of possibly re-opening it.  I did not want another inquiry for now, just throwing it out there.  If any one has any input thanks! 

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