The Key Advantages Of The Subaru Master Card

Summary:
The Chase Manhattan Bank offers a host of credit cards, which have their respective advantages and lucrative rewards’ programs. Those who are interested in the purchase of and/or are planning to lease a Subaru vehicle within four years of the date of issuance of the card will find the Subaru Master Card very useful. The card promises the cardholder great many rewards in the form of Subaru products and services.

Article Body:
The Chase Manhattan Bank offers a host of credit cards, which have their respective advantages and lucrative rewards’ programs. Those who are interested in the purchase of and/or are planning to lease a Subaru vehicle within four years of the date of issuance of the card will find the Subaru Master Card very useful. The card promises the cardholder great many rewards in the form of Subaru products and services.

The cardholders should know the key features of the credit card so as to be able to apply for it easily.

Key Features Of The Card

For the first six months, the card has a 0% introductory annual percentage rate on balance transfers. The card does not charge any annual fee. The great money-saver card also has a free of interest grace period on new purchases made with the card. The regular APRs of 14.24 percent, applicable on purchases and balance transfers are also reasonable. The variable APR applicable on cash-advances is based on the prime rate.

The Attributes Of The Card

The highlight of the Subaru Master Card is undoubtedly its rewards’ program. The card brings with it the opportunity for its members to earn three percent in SubaruBucks Rewards on regular every day purchases.

As per the program plans, when your purchases reach the $3333-mark, you will be eligible for a $100 coupon. In a year, you can earn a maximum of $500 or $2000 in the span of four-years. Remember that the coupons will expire in a four-year period from the date of the issuance of the credit card.

The rewards earned from the purchases made with the card can be redeemed for Subaru parts and services like oil changes, tire rotation and even for buying a new Subaru vehicle. If you intend to purchase a new Subaru car, then you can receive a tremendous discount against the Purchase Price of the new car. You can also receive discounts on the expenses incurred on the maintenance services of an old vehicle.

The Perks

The card offers account related services online. The card also provides other facilities like roadside assistance, auto rental insurance, emergency cash and credit replacement, travel accident insurance, travel and emergency assistance services and other similar services.

The Subaru Master Card proves helpful for the cardholder in yet more ways; it shields you and purchases with services like fraud and security protection services, purchase protection, extended warranty for purchases, and lost and stolen card reporting services, etc. The card also provides you with different Internet account related services.

The Subaru Master is ideal for you if you have a good credit and hardly carry any balances on your card. Before you proceed with applying for a card, make sure that you have a clear conception of the applicable restrictions, exclusions and limitations.

The issue of car finance

Summary:
Buying a car is not as simple as saying: “I am going to get a loan and then get a car.” You also have to think where to get the loan from and what options you have. Car finance can be obtained from banks, dealerships, credit unions and auto manufacturers, but there are differences between their solutions. Which one is the best for you?

Article Body:
When buying a new car, a common issue is the way people pay for it. Most use car finance to pay for their vehicles. If you want to make the best deal, you will have to understand car finance and the intricacies of its processes.

When buying a vehicle there are a couple of aspects people think about: whether their future car will be a new one or a used one and where they will get the money from. Regarding the money, problems can be solved by obtaining the car finance from banks, credit unions, dealerships, or auto manufacturers. However, when considering buying an old car, one has to think of the differences between car finance for a new or for a used car and its advantages and disadvantages. People tend to favor new cars. If you are asking yourselves “why?” then you surely heard some attractive commercials. Most of the unbelievable offers are too good to be true, but they come with extra requirements like high down payments and very high interest rates. For a good deal, negotiation is the only adoptable strategy that will make room for more advantages and less terms and conditions.

Making a loan requires a copy of your credit report and a check of payment histories. The lender will verify every aspect of your financial background in order to give you car finance. Once you have all the paperwork done, gather information, ask the dealers for the best offer and use every detail to bargain.

Pre-Approved loans are better for your car finance because you can find near market rates. Start by looking for a good sub prime lender. Search the Internet, look at closing costs, fees, compare and use the APR number to get the overall cost. This car finance can save you money.

You can also use online loan applications from car finance companies to speed loan processes. Before choosing a car finance company you should compare prices and rates. The dealer will want to make the best for him and choose the appropriate car finance company.

 Try not to let yourself be persuaded to buy the dealerships finance pack when you can make a better car finance deal elsewhere. You should calculate your APR and take into account how much the car costs in cash and if you have additional rates. Also see if car finance works for you and if you agree with the down payments and closing payments. Even if it seems complicated, it doesn’t have to be if you educate yourself in car finance.

Car finance is a very important part of your credit-related decisions and you should be careful not to take offers that exceed your income. If you end up in a bad deal you will waste your money on unnecessary things and your car finance will lower your budget drastically. If you try to take your car finance from a bank, the disadvantage is that banks take a lot of time to process a loan. The disadvantage in dealership rates is that they cost more overall. You can also try the Internet for online car finance deals, but the offers have to be carefully analyzed before (not to be scams). Some people may even get your car finance information and use it in their own interest. A little research about the online car finance can save you a lot of trouble. However, if you choose online lenders, you will get low interest rates and save time and money.

To obtain the car finance you are looking for, it will take some time to research and find the appropriate solution for you. You have to know exactly what you want and, after that, be careful not to let salespeople convince you into a car finance deal that you don’t want. Being familiar with car finance will enable you to go out and get the beast deal for you and your family.

The best savings account

Summary:
Article that explains some different savings accounts, how they work And why some are better than others, also touches on why it is so important to Have a savings plan in place.

Article Body:
The best savings account

Savings accounts are the best idea for putting away a set amount of money each week or month depending on your circumstances. You would be surprised at how quickly this money can add up if you are contributing a set amount from your paycheck every payday.
When shopping around for the best savings account, find one that pays a good interest rate and has a minimal amount for opening the account. A lot of banks only require a dollar to open an account while others may want you to deposit anywhere from 5 dollars to 50.

The convenience of having money automatically withdrawn from your paycheck and placed in your savings account is great for some. However others may not put a set amount in each payday and may want to choose how much they deposit into their savings account.

The best type of savings account will pay a comparable interest rate, be easily accessible to your home or work, will not charge a fee for withdrawals from your account, has on-line availability, and does not require a large deposit to open. If you have a bank account and access it online you should be able to transfer money to and from your savings account. You should try not to transfer from it unless it is an emergency because this defeats the purpose of having the savings account in the first place.

Some types of savings accounts are geared towards the holiday season. This allows you to save money for Christmas. If you start it early enough in the year by the time Christmas rolls around you can have a nice amount for your holiday shopping.

Another type of savings account featured by some banks link your debit card with your savings account. Every time you make a purchase using your debit card the amount is rounded up to the next dollar and the extra is deposited into your savings account. Some of these banks will even match the amount deposited by a certain percentage.

Savings accounts are great ways to start your children out learning how to be responsible when it comes to money. Open a savings account and let them deposit birthday money or Christmas money for themselves. All the change that gets thrown in a jar every day can become a savings account deposit for them. They will love to go to the bank and deposit their own money and in the process you are teaching them the importance of saving.

Another advantage to a savings account is establishing credit. If you borrow money from your bank using the money in your savings to secure the loan, when you pay the loan back you will have established credit with your bank. This can make it easier to get an unsecured loan should you need it.

It is important to have a savings account and add to it regularly. For that unexpected expense that crops up, having the money to cover without having to borrow the money is great. With everything today being based on credit-worthiness, establishing a good relationship with your bank or credit union can make a big difference when it comes to buying a home or a car.

For more info visit
http://www.open-a-online-savings-account.com"

Supermarket Smart Cart

Summary:
We 'check out' latest supermarket ‘smart’ cart.

Phil Lempert (The Supermarket Guru) test-drives the Stop & Shop's "Shopping Buddy", a grocery chain’s attempt to eliminate the annoying check-out line.

It’s a fact : most supermarket shoppers love going to the supermarket — finding new products, tasting free samples and finding bargains – spending money.

But then it comes time to check out….

Having enjoyed the displays and the picking-out of items, they are then face...

Article Body:
We 'check out' latest supermarket ‘smart’ cart.

Phil Lempert (The Supermarket Guru) test-drives the Stop & Shop's "Shopping Buddy", a grocery chain’s attempt to eliminate the annoying check-out line.

It’s a fact : most supermarket shoppers love going to the supermarket — finding new products, tasting free samples and finding bargains – spending money.

But then it comes time to check out….

Having enjoyed the displays and the picking-out of items, they are then faced with the task of taking their selections, putting them on a conveyor and then putting them back in their cart.

And, usually, of having to wait in line for such a dubious privilege.

Yes, dealing with the supermarket check-out line — including the horror of having kids screaming for the candy “conveniently” placed there by profit-hungry conglomerates — is among the least popular chores, according to many surveys. And while many supermarkets have installed “self-checkout” lanes, only a third of consumers, according to a ACNielsen Homescan (the global leader in market research, information and analysis.) consumer panel of over 61,000 Americans, believe this kind of help-yourself method is no way near a solution.

Plainly, supermarkets need to figure out better ways to check out. And many of them are trying to come up with an answer.

One chain in particular, Stop & Shop, a chain based in the Boston area, is seeking to change the whole way we shop for groceries — including the dreaded check-out lane.

To find out more, I traveled to Braintree, Mass., to, um, check out Stop & Shop’s Shopping Buddy. I also looked at IBM’s Everywhere Display, a new in-store tool for marketing products to consumers.

The Shopping Buddy

Shopping Buddy can help you organize your shopping trip and save money! The Shopping Buddy is a small tablet that you activate with your Stop & Shop card. Once activated, the Shopping Buddy displays your personal savings coupons and shopping history by aisle, based on your location. It's easy to see the things that you normally buy that are on sale in each aisle. You can also use Buddy to:

* Keep a running total of today's purchases
* Order deli without waiting in line
* Scan and bag your items as you shop for quick checkout

Shopping Buddy is only available in the Braintree, Quincy Southern Artery, Kingston and Plymouth Massachusetts stores.

The IBM Everywhere Display

This transforms any surface into a virtual interactive touch screen computer. Next to an item on the grocery store shelf the Everywhere Display can give you information about the item including videos and web based information. It can tell you if an item is in stock and if not you can then and there place a special order for it. Of course, promotional savings are attached to these displays as well.
So, when will every store in America be as easy and fun to shop?

The Shopping Buddy is available in 20 stores in New England now and we will see another 150 installations in both Stop & Shop and its sister chain Giant (Washington DC area) by the end of 2005.

Store Cards – Are You Storing Up Problems?

Summary:
The number of people with one or more credit cards has grown at an unbelievable rate in recent years. Like the mobile phone, the credit card has become a way of life for many people, something they’d be lost without.

The offer of a store card for your favourite store can be tempting and may offer opening discounts, invitations to special events (encouraging you to spend money in the store, of course) and the familiar “If you take out the card today, you’ll get 10% off your...

Article Body:
The number of people with one or more credit cards has grown at an unbelievable rate in recent years. Like the mobile phone, the credit card has become a way of life for many people, something they’d be lost without.

The offer of a store card for your favourite store can be tempting and may offer opening discounts, invitations to special events (encouraging you to spend money in the store, of course) and the familiar “If you take out the card today, you’ll get 10% off your purchases. It won’t take very long; we can fill the form in now. You may as well take advantage of the offer and get your discount at least.” You know how it goes and yes, there are some things you’d like and the discount is worth thinking about. Before you know what’s happening, you’re giving details of your current account etc., etc., etc.

It’s a familiar scenario. Over 40% of people who sign up in this way had no intention of doing so when they entered the store, according to the Office of Fair Trading, and yet they may well make a major purchase.

This isn’t a problem if you have the money available to clear the balance within the interest free period, which can be from 35 to 55 days, in most cases. However, if you’re unable to meet this time-limit you need to be aware that the interest on the outstanding balance can soon mount up.

The Consumer Credit card act sets down regulations for any loan under £25,000. Whether or not a total overhaul of these rules is necessary is under consideration.

Data provider Moneyfacts provide some enlightening information regarding the variation in store cards interest rates. John Lewis, which includes Waitrose, has an APR of 13% and Marks & Spencer offer 18.9%, whereas Debenhams and Comets Timecard are currently charging 28% and 29.9% respectively.

Before you sign up to one of these cards, take time to consider:

The discount may be a good deal and if there is a purchase that you are seriously considering anyway and you have the money to fund the purchase within the interest free period.

What is the APR rate on this offer? How much will you be charged on the remaining balance?

There may be an interest free period. How long does this last and when it ends, what rate will be charged?

Payment Protection Insurance will be offered. Check how much this is going to cost and what benefits are offered. This is an option but could prove a blessing under some circumstances, such as illness or redundancy. Read the agreement carefully to find out more.

Remember that you’ll need to budget carefully for store card purchases – it’s easy to overspend.

You don’t need to sign there and then. Take the agreement away and check everything, including the interest free period, APR, default and late payment penalties. Ask questions until you’re satisfied you fully understand everything.

The Office of Fair Trading endorses the above advice. They also advise that you compare the store card with other payment methods.

Don’t be hassled into taking out a card you don’t want by some pushy person who doesn’t really care whether or not you’re getting what’s right for you, as long as they get their commission for signing you up!

Remember, as with credit cards, the statements come in monthly. Keep track of your spending. Credit cards with low APR’s are, in general, a better deal than store cards, according to the majority of financial experts.

Take care and weigh up all the options.