OK, I must be going crazy, I admit it. Last night I think I saw an ad for Chase Bank about a new product they have (a credit card) called Chase Freedom. Oh my gosh, am I going nuts or is the financial industry really selling "freedom" with their humongous debt-inducing product?
Actually, I believe it's true. I watched and was incredulous at the presumption but obviously their marketing department trusts that people will continue to buy-in no matter how big the lie becomes. Who knows, maybe the bigger the better!
And darn right you'll be chasing freedom for a long, long time if you take them up on using their product to achieve your fantasy life. Now that's something you can count on!
But hold on to your seats, there's more. A recent CNN Money article reports that Americans are not only spending every red sent but more. Read the article: http://money.cnn.com/2006/12/21/news/economy/savings_rate/index.htm?postversion=2006122116
"Friday morning the government will report on personal income and spending for November. For the last 19 months, the report has shown a negative savings rate. That means American consumers are spending more than they're taking home after taxes. The savings rate was a negative 0.6 percent in October. In other words, the typical American spent $100.60 for every $100 of take home pay."
So what does this tell us? Typical family budget expenses are outpacing incomes.
"The savings rate compares after-tax income to the money spent on a wide range of items. It turns negative when people take on additional debt such as home equity loans or other credit, or sell assets, so they can spend more than their take-home pay."
Notice how the subtle way the "victim" is being blamed here. No mention that the cost of living is going through the roof and families are struggling to fill the gap. This assumes that all people are spending on things they do not need, which is not true at all.
" Before the current streak of negative rates started in April 2005, only one month on record back to the late 1940s had a negative savings rate. As recently as the second quarter of 1985, Americans were saving more than 10 percent of their paychecks."
Well, duh, there was more value to each unit of currency in 1985 which meant people actually could save if they chose to. Notice again, the undercurrent of blame aimed at you the consumer for your lack of prudent money management.
Now here's the kicker. Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research said this negative savings rate will only end when consumers cut back on their spending but since consumer spending accounts for about 70% of the gross domestic product, spending cutbacks could spell recession as soon as 2007!
The article goes on to then blatantly blame the consumer for thinking they didn't need to save due to the easy money of home equity lines of credit. This is the party line for sure and of course as with all half-truths, there is some truth to it.
However rarely does the whole story get told because for those involved in any aspect of the financial industry, it would be biting the hand that feeds them.
Here the part of the story that almost always is left out: All money is debt-based and as such, in 2006, now carries more debt than equity. This shows up as exponentially compounding interest that must be added to the cost of goods and services that, in turn, raise the cost of living at an exponential rate to cover debt service costs. Individuals and families, as a result, are failing to be able to meet skyrocketing basic expenses with their incomes and by default turn to credit. This does not mean Americans are not overspending, they are, but that's only part of the problem.
Time to get real, folks. If you put your trust in the corporate financial industry to give you the tools you need to insure your financial stability and security going forward, think again. I'm afraid you will be left to suffer the consequences of Chase Freedom for a long, long time.
Time to think for ourselves, learn new tricks that work for us and get empowered. Trust me, the economy can thrive without having to feed the furnace of the mega-corporate financial beast.
Susan Boskey is author of the book, The Quality Life Plan: 7 Steps to Uncommon Financial Security available at http://www.AlternativeFinancialNow.com where you can also sign up for the free e-course to learn more. Her book presents a unique personal finance formula to help everyday people create and sustain a debt-free lifestyle
What Chase Credit Cards Can Do For You
Chase credit cards are offered from Chase Manhattan Bank. It is based in New York City and is one of the largest financial institutions in the world. Chase has become a major player in the credit card industry, having recently merged with Bank One, which at the time, was Chicago's largest bank.
Chase offers a wide variety of credit cards that are designed to fit the specific needs of consumers. They had the foresight to realize that a one size fits all mentality in this modern world is less than sufficient. In fact, Chase currently offers over 250 credit cards to choose from.
That may sound like overkill, but if you really think about it, it isn't. With our ever evolving economy, the marketplace is becoming increasingly diversified. This is evident by the number categories of cards that are available (about a dozen as of this writing).
Without question, the most effective way to compare these offers is on a comprehensive web site. Our recommendation goes to www.Find-Cards-Now.com. It is a secure site that allows the respective card holder the opportunity to compare, review and apply for Chase credit cards online.
The real value of having such a large and diverse selection is that allows you to find offers that are nearly customized to meet your specific financial needs. Taking a closer look at how this is accomplished, let us break down the main categories and see how they are designed to offer value.
Chase balance transfer credit cards are the most popular offers. They allow you to consolidate existing debt held on other credit cards onto a single card. The advantage is ease of use dealing with a single card as opposed to many, and more importantly, the opportunity to take advantage of 0% APR and low introductory transfer rates.
Chase business credit cards offer higher credit limits than consumer credit cards, and flexibility in issuing employee credit cards with adjustable spending limits. There are also built in accounting advantages that allow for greater oversight and monitoring of spending activity.
Chase rewards credit cards have become quite popular and offer a plethora of choices ranging from travel rewards to cash back rebates. With rising gas prices in recent years, the gasoline cards have risen in popularity. They benefit both businesses and the individual consumer alike.
There are several other categories of Chase credit cards including retail, student, and entertainment cards. It's about as close as you are going to get to designing your own customized gold or platinum card. And as always, be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before applying.
Morgan Hamilton is a financial adviser that specializes in the credit card industry. To learn more about [http://www.bestcreditquote.com/chase_credit_cards.html]Chase Credit Cards and [http://www.bestcreditquote.com/chase_credit_cards.html]Chase business credit cards, visit [http://www.bestcreditquote.com/]www.BestCreditQuote.com
Chase offers a wide variety of credit cards that are designed to fit the specific needs of consumers. They had the foresight to realize that a one size fits all mentality in this modern world is less than sufficient. In fact, Chase currently offers over 250 credit cards to choose from.
That may sound like overkill, but if you really think about it, it isn't. With our ever evolving economy, the marketplace is becoming increasingly diversified. This is evident by the number categories of cards that are available (about a dozen as of this writing).
Without question, the most effective way to compare these offers is on a comprehensive web site. Our recommendation goes to www.Find-Cards-Now.com. It is a secure site that allows the respective card holder the opportunity to compare, review and apply for Chase credit cards online.
The real value of having such a large and diverse selection is that allows you to find offers that are nearly customized to meet your specific financial needs. Taking a closer look at how this is accomplished, let us break down the main categories and see how they are designed to offer value.
Chase balance transfer credit cards are the most popular offers. They allow you to consolidate existing debt held on other credit cards onto a single card. The advantage is ease of use dealing with a single card as opposed to many, and more importantly, the opportunity to take advantage of 0% APR and low introductory transfer rates.
Chase business credit cards offer higher credit limits than consumer credit cards, and flexibility in issuing employee credit cards with adjustable spending limits. There are also built in accounting advantages that allow for greater oversight and monitoring of spending activity.
Chase rewards credit cards have become quite popular and offer a plethora of choices ranging from travel rewards to cash back rebates. With rising gas prices in recent years, the gasoline cards have risen in popularity. They benefit both businesses and the individual consumer alike.
There are several other categories of Chase credit cards including retail, student, and entertainment cards. It's about as close as you are going to get to designing your own customized gold or platinum card. And as always, be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before applying.
Morgan Hamilton is a financial adviser that specializes in the credit card industry. To learn more about [http://www.bestcreditquote.com/chase_credit_cards.html]Chase Credit Cards and [http://www.bestcreditquote.com/chase_credit_cards.html]Chase business credit cards, visit [http://www.bestcreditquote.com/]www.BestCreditQuote.com
Chase Credit Cards
Chase credit cards come in a variety of styles and with a variety of benefits.
If you’re looking for a credit card company that offers a wide variety of services and premier cards, Chase Manhattan bank is the company for you. Chase offers many services, including lending, insurance and credit cards. Chase credit cards are some of the most popular, as they offer cards to fit every personality.
Among Chase credit cards are ones for travelers which offer travel rewards and auto and gas rebates as well as cards for shoppers which reward the shopper with discounts at their favorite stores. The wide variety of Chase rewards cards let’s you decide how you’ll be rewarded including cash back, points and even cards that support specific charitable organizations.
In addition to the credit cards with rewards, Chase offers cards for more specific needs. Students can appreciate the Chase credit cards specifically designed for them with special student benefits and the option of having your school’s name on your card. Chase also offers credit cards specifically for school alumni, with school designs and colors as well as a way to benefit your former school with the use of your card.
Whether you want a card for your business or a card with great personal rewards, considering filling out an application for a Chase credit card. You can apply online, or by mail. When you apply for a credit card with Chase Manhattan bank, you’re getting a card that fits your needs perfectly.
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If you’re looking for a credit card company that offers a wide variety of services and premier cards, Chase Manhattan bank is the company for you. Chase offers many services, including lending, insurance and credit cards. Chase credit cards are some of the most popular, as they offer cards to fit every personality.
Among Chase credit cards are ones for travelers which offer travel rewards and auto and gas rebates as well as cards for shoppers which reward the shopper with discounts at their favorite stores. The wide variety of Chase rewards cards let’s you decide how you’ll be rewarded including cash back, points and even cards that support specific charitable organizations.
In addition to the credit cards with rewards, Chase offers cards for more specific needs. Students can appreciate the Chase credit cards specifically designed for them with special student benefits and the option of having your school’s name on your card. Chase also offers credit cards specifically for school alumni, with school designs and colors as well as a way to benefit your former school with the use of your card.
Whether you want a card for your business or a card with great personal rewards, considering filling out an application for a Chase credit card. You can apply online, or by mail. When you apply for a credit card with Chase Manhattan bank, you’re getting a card that fits your needs perfectly.
Looking to promote your online business? Visit the [http://www.archetype-development.com ]internet marketing experts at Archetype Development. Check out the [http://geekcrushers.blogspot.com/ ]geek blog to see our story. While you are at it, submit your site for free to our [http://www.phillyfirstonthefourth.com ]search engine friendly directory
College Funding Through Chase Bank Student Loans
When you're looking for ways to pay for college, you have to research various banks and lenders, and compare their private loan services and also look at what privately-funded federal loan conditions they offer versus direct federal loans from the Department of Education. Chase Bank student loans are available for every step in the higher education process, including federal and private loans.
Federal Stafford loans have the same basic standards whether they come from the Department of Education directly or through a bank, credit union, or other private lender. The maximum fixed interest rate is 6.8%, and you can defer payment until you finish school or drop under half time enrollment. Government subsidized Stafford loans are granted based on need; in this case the government pays the interest on your loan while you study. If your loan is not subsidized, if you defer payment until after finishing school the interest is capitalized.
Parents and graduate students can apply for PLUS loans, which do come with credit requirements but an eligible cosigner can be used. These loans cover education costs that are not covered by Stafford loans, which do not have a credit requirement, and any available student aid. Chase also offers federal consolidation loans; private and federal loans can be consolidated together.
Chase offers a competitive rate on federal loans compared to the Department of Education, cutting .1% off the normal fixed interest rate. This gives Stafford loans an interest rate of 6.7% compared to 6.8%, and PLUS loans have an interest rate of 8.4% compared to 8.5%. Chase offers full assistance in receiving federal loans and helps you with all the necessary paperwork without charging origination or default fees on their loans.
Any other expenses can be paid for with private student loans. With Chase Select loans, you can borrow as little as $500, if you need only a small amount to make up the difference in your cost of attendance and what your other loans and student aid cover, or as much as $40,000 if you need it.
The Chase Health Education Program is specifically designed for people studying to become professionals in the health industry. This is a long and expensive process, and Chase offers a group of loans targeted toward making this possible, from medical school to residency.
You can consult Chase and have your questions answered by phone or online, whichever is more convenient for you. Chase Bank student loans offer private loans and federal loans at lowered interest rates. [http://collegestudentloans101.info]http://www.CollegeStudentLoans101.info is a website fully devoted to giving you the very best information regarding student loans. Whether you're suffering from finding reasonable loan rates and you'd like to know your options with [http://collegestudentloans101.info/Chase-Bank-Student-Loans.html]Chase bank student loans, or you simply want to know the advantages of [http://collegestudentloans101.info/Fixed-Rate-Student-Loans.html]fixed rate student loans, we've got you covered!
Federal Stafford loans have the same basic standards whether they come from the Department of Education directly or through a bank, credit union, or other private lender. The maximum fixed interest rate is 6.8%, and you can defer payment until you finish school or drop under half time enrollment. Government subsidized Stafford loans are granted based on need; in this case the government pays the interest on your loan while you study. If your loan is not subsidized, if you defer payment until after finishing school the interest is capitalized.
Parents and graduate students can apply for PLUS loans, which do come with credit requirements but an eligible cosigner can be used. These loans cover education costs that are not covered by Stafford loans, which do not have a credit requirement, and any available student aid. Chase also offers federal consolidation loans; private and federal loans can be consolidated together.
Chase offers a competitive rate on federal loans compared to the Department of Education, cutting .1% off the normal fixed interest rate. This gives Stafford loans an interest rate of 6.7% compared to 6.8%, and PLUS loans have an interest rate of 8.4% compared to 8.5%. Chase offers full assistance in receiving federal loans and helps you with all the necessary paperwork without charging origination or default fees on their loans.
Any other expenses can be paid for with private student loans. With Chase Select loans, you can borrow as little as $500, if you need only a small amount to make up the difference in your cost of attendance and what your other loans and student aid cover, or as much as $40,000 if you need it.
The Chase Health Education Program is specifically designed for people studying to become professionals in the health industry. This is a long and expensive process, and Chase offers a group of loans targeted toward making this possible, from medical school to residency.
You can consult Chase and have your questions answered by phone or online, whichever is more convenient for you. Chase Bank student loans offer private loans and federal loans at lowered interest rates. [http://collegestudentloans101.info]http://www.CollegeStudentLoans101.info is a website fully devoted to giving you the very best information regarding student loans. Whether you're suffering from finding reasonable loan rates and you'd like to know your options with [http://collegestudentloans101.info/Chase-Bank-Student-Loans.html]Chase bank student loans, or you simply want to know the advantages of [http://collegestudentloans101.info/Fixed-Rate-Student-Loans.html]fixed rate student loans, we've got you covered!
Chase Bank Locations - Find the Closest Location to Your Home
If you are looking for chase bank locations near you, you really shouldn't have a hard time finding these. Chase bank is obviously one of the biggest banks in the country, and if you can't find one within a half hour or less of your home, you must really live in the middle of nowhere!
The bottom line is, it's very easy to find Chase bank locations, you really shouldn't have to look long and hard to find them. However, why should you do business with Chase Bank over another one?
Chances are, assuming you live in an area with a decent population, there are more than just chase branches near you, so what makes them stand apart from the others? Aside fro the fact that they are large and have a lot of experience (many banks have this) chase credit cards are very popular among consumers today, and are one of the features they are known for.
The reason that chase credit cards are so widely used is quite simple-they offer something that fits everybody, regardless of what their needs are. If you plan on traveling often, you can find a credit card with travel rewards points, where reach dollar you spend goes towards money back on airfare and other travel expenses, such as gas.
If you enjoy shopping often, you can find credit cards with rewards points that go towards the locations you frequent the most, or you can just get a plain cash back card (which are the ones I'd recommend) because you can use them for whatever you want, and at just as much money back as the others.
What are some of the other features on the chase credit cards you should keep in mind? With the platinum card, the APR at first is zero percent, and this rate not only goes for everything you buy in the first year, but also any money you might want to transfer from another credit card onto your chase card.
Of course, if you have a lower credit score, this time period might actually be closer to three months, depending on your situation. What rate will you pay after the initial honey mood period? It's typical around fourteen percent, a very reasonable rate when compared with the other more prominent credit card companies today.
As you can tell, I would definitely recommend chase credit cards, and all you have to do is find chase bank locations near you, go down and fill out an application, and you will receive an acceptance decision very shortly.
An even better option would be to do so online, which will save you time form having to find the nearest chase bank locations, and fill out the application right from the comfort of home.
For more info on [http://www.onlinebankratings.com/chaseonlinebanking.htm]Chase Online Banking, check out onlinebankratings.com, a popular banking site that reviews many of the larger, small, and online banks, includes helpful [http://www.onlinebankratings.com/]bank ratings, and much more.
The bottom line is, it's very easy to find Chase bank locations, you really shouldn't have to look long and hard to find them. However, why should you do business with Chase Bank over another one?
Chances are, assuming you live in an area with a decent population, there are more than just chase branches near you, so what makes them stand apart from the others? Aside fro the fact that they are large and have a lot of experience (many banks have this) chase credit cards are very popular among consumers today, and are one of the features they are known for.
The reason that chase credit cards are so widely used is quite simple-they offer something that fits everybody, regardless of what their needs are. If you plan on traveling often, you can find a credit card with travel rewards points, where reach dollar you spend goes towards money back on airfare and other travel expenses, such as gas.
If you enjoy shopping often, you can find credit cards with rewards points that go towards the locations you frequent the most, or you can just get a plain cash back card (which are the ones I'd recommend) because you can use them for whatever you want, and at just as much money back as the others.
What are some of the other features on the chase credit cards you should keep in mind? With the platinum card, the APR at first is zero percent, and this rate not only goes for everything you buy in the first year, but also any money you might want to transfer from another credit card onto your chase card.
Of course, if you have a lower credit score, this time period might actually be closer to three months, depending on your situation. What rate will you pay after the initial honey mood period? It's typical around fourteen percent, a very reasonable rate when compared with the other more prominent credit card companies today.
As you can tell, I would definitely recommend chase credit cards, and all you have to do is find chase bank locations near you, go down and fill out an application, and you will receive an acceptance decision very shortly.
An even better option would be to do so online, which will save you time form having to find the nearest chase bank locations, and fill out the application right from the comfort of home.
For more info on [http://www.onlinebankratings.com/chaseonlinebanking.htm]Chase Online Banking, check out onlinebankratings.com, a popular banking site that reviews many of the larger, small, and online banks, includes helpful [http://www.onlinebankratings.com/]bank ratings, and much more.
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