Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Vacation Travel Clubs Can Save You Money

Travel Guides
Travel Guides (Photo credit: Vanessa (EY))
With the kids school year almost over and the vacation season around the corner, people are planning vacations. The family vacation is something we look forward to every year. But this year, even though money is in short supply, many people are still going to take that vacation so they are looking for ways to save money on their holiday. One way to save money is with a vacation travel club.

Most people are aware of vacation timeshare resorts but many have not heard of vacation travel clubs. A vacation travel club is group of business owners and corporations in the travel industry who join together to create wholesale travel packages. Many hotels, airlines, and vacation destinations use the travel clubs to offer discounts to their members.

If you have read any travel club reviews you know why they are so popular. Vacation travel clubs have many benefits that make it a good idea to join. Many clubs include several free trips per year. They offer seasonal and monthly specials to their members. There is usually a website, of the club, that offers chat rooms, forums and monthly newsletters explaining and keeping you up to date to a calendar of events. You aren't restricted to a small amount of destinations or trip options. Many clubs offer vacations to 1,000's of places. You receive discounts on car rental, hotels, airlines, and discounts on food and drink. Discounts can be up to 75% of standard vacation costs.

When you belong to a vacation travel club, you are given rewards for using the club. The more you use the clubs offers, the more free vacation rewards you receive. Keep in mind you won't receive free packages on every trip, but you will always have the deepest discounts offered to you.

Remember, before you join a vacation travel club, you should do the research and make sure they are legitimate and free form impropriety. Contact the Better Business Bureau, phone the company , and see what other vacation travel clubs members have to say about their experiences with the club.


Bon Voyage.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Sunday, April 8, 2012

This Summer Will You Vacation Or Staycation?

Travel Guides
Travel Guides (Photo credit: Vanessa (EY))
Will the rising costs of fuel keep you at home during the summer holiday season? According to a Times-Herald survey, many families will not be cutting back there vacation plans. Some people are feeling the pinch from extraordinary high fuel prices and have already canceled their summer holiday plans. But the bulk of people are adjusting their plans and are looking for cheap holidays.

Just how much does the cost of fuel affect a families decision to go on vacation or not? From the average high, to the latest top price, the difference is only 10 percent. This increase amounts to only $10 per tank of gas. If you fuel up twice the cost is only $20. Compare this to the rising costs of airfare and hotel stays which have much higher price increases. Though the prices of many other parts of a vacation are rising more rapidly, fuel costs should be the least of your worries.

According to the Times-Herald survey, 63 percent of families plan to spend the same amount or more on travel in 2012 as they did in 2011.

For those that feel the cost of fuel is to high to travel, they are making plans to stay home or only travel very short distances for their holiday. They are finding that they have many local destinations that suit them just fine and fit the bill for a wonderful vacation.

Finding destinations, in your region or state, can offer to you the opportunity for one day vacations or just over night trips. Most of us who travel know more about a vacation destination that is 1000 miles away than one that is only 50 miles from our home. Staying local and traveling to the shore, a lake house, or countryside cabin for a weekend opens up wonderful opportunities we have been missing.

When you are planning your next vacation on a tight budget, why not check out destinations closer to home.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Saturday, April 7, 2012

What Are Short Term Loans?

Loans
Loans (Photo credit: jferzoco)
Hasn't it happened to all of us, where something has gone wrong like a medical need or a unexpected car repair and we need some cash. In times like this we wished we would have put a little money aside. But according to Consumers Credit Association more than 70 percent of Americans have no savings or way to get some fast cash for an emergency.

The typical short term need is generally between $100 and $1500. But usually the first emergency need is between $300 - $500. The problem with an emergency is you don't have the time to use the regular channels associated with borrowing, be they credit card cash advances or your local banks loan department.

The choice left to you is to try to get a short term loan which is either a payday loan or an installment loan. The time frame for paying back the loan is between 2 to 4 weeks. With it usually being 2 weeks. Because of the convenience and quickness of the loan process be prepared to pay a higher rate of interest. Also be very sure you are going to have the money to pay back these fast cash loans.

Applying for the loan consists of providing basic information. You will then be explained all the fees and what dates the money is to be repaid. Also expect a fee charged by the loan office on top of interest payments. This type of loan is more expensive to the consumer because the lender does not do a credit check and you do not have to provide collateral. The lender bases the loan on the amount the borrower makes at their job.

As with all financial decisions it is important that you understand the seriousness of using these services. Short term loans can help borrowers handle emergencies when caught short of cash but they are not to be used as a way of life. Prepare for the next emergency soon by starting to save some money each week.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Friday, April 6, 2012

How to Apply For a Loan at a Peer To Peer Lender?

Loans
Loans (Photo credit: jferzoco)
Peer to peer lending has emerged as a popular option for people seeking financial assistance. While the option of obtaining a loan from a bank or traditional lending institution is still there, peer to peer lending has picked up steam over the past few years. Basically, peer to peer lending is done peer to peer, which means there is no middle man. A person offers money on loan to another without any intermediation from a third party. There are dozens of reputable websites providing peer to peer lending for you. There are other unconventional alternatives such as an open door loan, but you will have to pay the pay day loan charges.

How to Apply for a Loan at a Peer to Peer Lender

The peer to peer lending network is based on individuals providing the cash for lending. The private investors seek to earn interest on their money by lending it to people in need. A person having issues obtaining a loan from a bank can easily avail the option of a peer to peer loan. The purpose of the loan is negligible. What this means is that the borrower does not have to go through the red tape banks and lending institutions are known for. The lenders earn a solid return on their investment without indulging in high risk. It is the perfect deal for both. Here are a few tips you can follow for applying for a peer to peer loan.

Have a Good Credit Score

The requirements of a good credit rating aren’t as stringent as they are for banks. This is the benefit of getting an open door loan or a peer to peer loan. If you don’t have the ideal credit rating, you can still obtain the finance you require. To get a peer to peer loan, you need to have a credit score of 660. If you are not at that mark yet, you should try and improve your financial situation before applying for the loan. There are hundreds of websites where you can find information for improving your credit score. Bad credit is unwelcome to peer to peer lenders so don’t even consider that you have a chance to get a loan if your credit score is below 660.

Find the Best Peer to Peer Lending Websites

As mentioned above, there are dozens of peer to peer lending websites. The only issue is that they are not made equal. Some are good but some aren’t. You need to be wary of the websites that don’t have a good reputation. When you explore your options, make sure you only browse the websites that are reputable. Otherwise you are wasting your time. Make a list of three to four websites you prefer and then select the one you think is the best one for you.

Register on the Website

Before applying for a loan, you need to register on the peer to peer lending website. This is a simple process. You only need to provide the information they require. This includes your personal data and a few other relevant points about you. Moreover, you need to specify the amount of money you want to borrow so that interest lenders can locate you easily.

Assess the Offers

After registration, you have to wait for loan offers to come. When you receive a loan offer, make sure you study it in detail. There are many things to consider and the smallest point can make a huge difference in the long run. Typically, the length of a peer to peer loan is 36 months but the websites have different rules. Only accept the loan offer if you are completely satisfied with it. Once approved, you will receive the amount of money you wanted.

Conclusion

These are the few tips and steps you need to follow in order to apply for a loan at a peer to peer lender. Keep in mind that you might not be able to achieve your goal right away. Be patient and browse a number of websites in case you are not happy with the service provided by the first one you select. After all, a peer to peer loan is a better option than having to deal with pay day loan charges.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Join 1000's of People Following 50 Plus Finance
Real Time Web Analytics