Overspending 'Could Lead To A Bad Credit Rating'

Britons could be placing increased financial pressure on themselves in an attempt to keep up with the Joneses, it has been reported.

In research carried out by CreditExpert, about one in five people (19 per cent) admit to overspending due to peer pressure. And by attempting to show off to family and friends through purchasing luxurious items such as designer clothes and flash cars, a total of 45 billion pounds is being spent just to keep up with the lifestyle of those around them. Meanwhile, the average consumer was reported to be spending 5,874 pounds beyond their means every year.

Findings also revealed that 37 per cent of Britons overspend for fear of not fitting in with those around them, as 48 per cent of respondents feel pressured into splashing out more money on presents for loved ones than they had originally intended. In addition the study indicated that men are overspending on their cars by 1,964 pounds per year, with women shelling out an extra 1,068 pounds. Just over a third (38 per cent) were also shown to be spending more than they would have liked on presents for their work colleagues.

However, managing director Jim Hodgkins claimed that such a lack of control over their finances could see consumers damage their credit rating and cut off their access to competitive borrowing in the future. Consequently, this in turn may lead them to take out a bad credit loan.

He said: "It's staggering to see how much we're overspending just to keep up with our peers. While it's great to be generous at the bar or on a date, we should be spending because we want to and not because we feel pressured. Spending beyond your means because of peer pressure can result in mounting debts which could lead to a bad credit rating and, unfortunately, if your credit rating is unattractive to lenders, they will be less inclined to offer you credit - which means you could then miss out on the new car or flat you've fallen in love with."

The research, which surveyed some 1,450 Britons, showed that young people are the mostly likely to give in to purchasing peer pressure. An estimated 41 per cent of those aged between 18 and 24 claim that they spend money so as to maintain a certain lifestyle, in comparison to the national average of 19 per cent. Just under two-thirds (59 per cent) of consumers in this age bracket say that a desire to not "miss out" was the reason for spending beyond their means.

Meanwhile, people living in London could be facing the most pressure on their day-to-day finances as a quarter of those living in the capital claim to have spent more cash than they had intended to because of social pressures. On the other hand, some 14 per cent of consumers from Scotland and the north-east of England were reported to have spent money when they did not want to.

However, James Jones, consumer affairs manager for Experian, recently suggested that those taking out a bad credit personal loan in a bid to reorganise their outgoings should get a copy of their financial history. By doing so he claimed consumers can check for any discrepancies in their file and identify where a change in their circumstances has previously affected their ability to pay off debts - with this possibly helping to determine what rate of interest loan providers decide to set.

Steve Smith writes for the 1 Stop Finance Shop where you can apply online for debt consolidation loans. We specialise in all sorts of personal loans and secured loans with online application. Visit Today: http://www.1stopfinanceshopuk.biz/

The Truth About Bad Credit Secured Loans

Bad credit secured loans can be procured by pledging any securable property against the borrower's loan amount, which usually means the main or only residence. The loan can usually be for any purpose.

Believe it or not, such loans can be used to improve credit rating. Bad credit secured loans are specially designed loans for people with a bad credit score to actually help get their credit record improved. By taking out such a loan the borrower's credit score will actually improve as long as the repayments are met in full.

Bad credit secured loans are, indeed, unique solutions for people with bad credit records which make the loans suitable for debt consolidation as well. For the very reason that these loans are secured on property they are seen as a 'safe' lending risk by the lender, so the interest rate (or APR) will be lower than would otherwise be the case. Therefore the burden of relatively high APR borrowing such as credit card and store card debt may be transferred, or consolidated, to a lower APR secured loan. The monthly repayments will be correspondingly reduced, which will decrease the burden on household expenditure and improve cash flow.

Bad credit secured loans are the best way to raise funds for a borrower with an imperfect credit record if he wants a low interest rate and a good repayment term for the loan. The term itself can be set for many years, over which the value of the property securing the loan will rise. The equity thus securing the loan will increase much more than the balance of the loan itself, under normal circumstances, so both lender and borrower are guaranteed financial peace of mind.

Homeowners who happen to have a bad credit history, perhaps with CCJs, arrears, or defaults, are more likely to have successful applications with companies who are specialists in bad credit secured loans. This is far more than with unsecured applications, because the property or asset is guaranteeing or underwriting the loan and therefore this is considered an acceptable risk as far as the lender is concerned.

Loans of up to 125% of the value of the borrower's property are usually available (for UK residents who own their own home) which makes the available finance potentially even larger, and therefore more useful especially when it comes to debt consolidation. Borrowing beyond the range of the debt may be possible in such cases, so the money raised may be put to uses such as home improvement, which will further increase the value of the secured property and protect the equity therein.

In addition, bad credit secured loans offer probably the fastest processing of any type of loan application, especially if the processing is done online. This is because the lending company, or broker, will know that they will be in competition with other parties, and so had better provide the best quote for his client in the shortest possible time. Online application is, in any case, the fastest mode of processing any loan.


For a cheaper alternative than a secured loan from their bank, http://www.bad-credit-secured-loan-application.co.uk offers a fast solution with no fees and access to a large panel of lenders. Apply now for a 5 month payment holiday.

How To Get Approved For A Car Loan After Bankruptcy Or With Bad Credit

Bankruptcy and bad credit can make you think your ability to get a car loan will be an impossible task. But it does not have to be. Also, any new loans including a car loan will help you to build and reestablish your credit and credit history.

Most finance companies will not deal with you if you are in the middle of bankruptcy, but they will when it is finalized as you can then legally take on debt and reestablish yourself. Bad credit should not mean no credit. You can still get a good car loan and even a reasonable or good rate and payment. Here are some excellent tips and pointers to help you get the best car loan and terms possible regardless of your credit history.

First, get a copy of your credit report.

This is a crucial step as your credit report may and probably will contain some erroneous and derogatory information. It is a known fact that over 90 percent of credit reports contain some sort of error or incorrect information. This can range from wrong contact or loan info to derogatory debt info that should be removed as it is older than 7 years.

The rule is that most derogatory credit and debt reporting can only stay on your credit report for 7 years (a bankruptcy is 10 years). Many collection companies and other creditors abuse this law by relisting bad credit with different loan numbers and such. This is actually illegal and a violation of the Fair Debt Reporting Act. If you find any fraudulent reporting like this hire an attorney and sue the violating company.

Basically, anything that does not belong on your credit file can be investigated by inquiring with the credit bureaus (Trans Union, Equifax and Experian). When an inquiry is opened, they must contact the original creditor and receive proof that the debt is valid. If they do not receive proof within 30 days the disputed information must be removed. The credit bureau in question will then send you a free, corrected credit file. Note, this dispute process is not to be abused for knowingly valid debts.

By correcting the data in your credit report you can only improve your credit rating. You are also entitled to add a small entry to explain any valid derogatory entry. For instance if it was caused by a unexpected illness, automotive accident by an un-insured motorist or something that was not your fault. Creditors may take this info into account and give you a better rate or terms or extend credit where they normally would not.

Make friends with the special finance manager at your local car dealership that handles bad credit.

This can only help as many times a loan is made or determined on the finance managers personal opinions. They can put in a good word for you or a personal favor or recommendation. Especially if they are at a large dealership and they do a lot of loans. They may be able to throw it in with a package of loans and get you approved or get you a better rate. Do not discount this, I have personally seen this happen.

The special finance manager will also determine how much money you can put down and what payments you can afford. If you are friends with them you will most likely get a much better deal, car and payments.

Look online before you sign the dotted line.

There are numerous online finance companies and websites that may give you better terms and or rate, but you will never know if you do not check. Just look up the keywords bad credit car loan on Google or Yahoo and you will find plenty of them. Find a few and see what kinds of offers or terms you will get. Do not be surprised if you are approved, but for a newer car. Many finance companies will not do loans on cars older than 5 or 7 years or with prices below $5,000.

Buy here pay here.

If you wish to buy a car older than the range most companies will finance, under $5,000, or your credit will not let you buy at a normal dealership (very rare), then there is one last resort the BHPH (Buy Here Pay Here dealer). These car dealers finance the car themselves and will usually expect weekly payments. Do not expect your car loan with them to be reported on your credit report so it will probably not help your credit. If you miss a payment, they will tow off or repo your car.

Then you will have to pay extra repo fees and all payments to get you up to date to get the vehicle back. BHPH is kind of like legalized loan sharking, but for some it is an acceptable or only alternative to riding the bus or walking. Expect high interest rates (whatever the state maximum is) and weekly payments of between $50 and $100 with a sizeable down payment (usually around $2,000 or so depending on the year and price of the car being loaned).

Now, once you have a car loan, do not mess up and miss or make late payments. Your goal is to correct the mistakes of your past and build good credit. If you keep making on time payments and continue to build your credit, with 1 to 2 years you will improve your credit and may even be able to do things like purchase a house or condo and qualify for better rates and terms.

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