Archive for August, 2008

Utilizing a Bankruptcy Mailing List

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

by William Blake

For many businesses, the need for a consumer mailing list is critical. The reason for this may not be so obvious to individuals who are unfamiliar with direct mail advertising but, to those who understand the need and the value of mailing lists, they help to bring new businesses into the fold. This is true of all types of business mailing lists — even ones that include a bankruptcy mailing list. While some may question the possible value of a bankruptcy mailing list, others view it as an important business function.

For instance, if one’s primary business function is debt counseling, then a bankruptcy mailing list would provide a multitude of potential clients who could greatly benefit from the services provided by a quality credit and debt counselor. People often have the need for a specific service, but they are not aware that such a service exists, nor do they know that the service can be offered at an affordable price.

In most cases, people who file for bankruptcy do not approach the service provider to initiate the business relationship. It is often up to the service provider to seek out potential clients, pitch the services that are offered, and then initiate a business relationship. This can be done by directly targeting a bankruptcy mailing list, which could take the form of an email list or even a traditional snail mail list.

Acquiring A Bankruptcy Mailing List

There are a number of direct mail services that have access to quality bankruptcy mailing lists. However, in such a purchasing decision, you get what you pay for. In other words, if you opt to purchase a list of names based upon a cut rate price, you may end up with a list of potential clients whose actual potential to purchase services is not very high.

On the flipside, a more expensive service may be able to provide a list of more acceptable potential clients. Beware, however, of overspending. Be sure to examine the different companies and look to see how long they have been in business. If possible, ask to see if they can provide customer references that are verifiable. This can reduce the chances of spending money on a list that does not prove fruitful.

A Word Of Advice

Purchasing a mailing list does not provide any guarantees that a customer will buy the service you are offering. What the acquisition of the list does is provide the potential for new customers from which you may be able to develop a new client base.

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Personal Bankruptcy: Some Important Issues About Filing

Monday, August 25th, 2008

by Ben Fallison

Have you suffered a heavy financial loss? Your friend suggested that you file for bankruptcy and you know nothing about it. Here is what you need to know. You can file for bankruptcy, a process through which you can get away with all your debts. It is a narrow escape from your creditors and a big relief to make a fresh beginning. Filing for bankruptcy is a legal process and every step that you take should be correct and things should be in place.

Firstly, get in touch with a lawyer who specializes in bankruptcy. You would ideally like to work with some one who knows the steps and the process of bankruptcy. When you meet your lawyer for the first time to discuss the process make sure that you carry along all your papers such as bills that you owe, verification of your monthly income and statements from your bank

You and the lawyer will need to determine exactly how much money you owe. You’ll be including everything that you owe so don’t leave anything out just because you don’t want your debt load to appear too high. The goal is to make a fresh start, so you don’t want any forgotten debt to get left behind because you’ll still owe it.

The lawyer will explain the difference between the secured debt and unsecured debt. A secured debt is where your creditor holds some type of secure interest on what you owe until the entire amount has been paid back. Failing to make the payment the creditor can take the collateral such as a car. Whereas unsecured debt is debt that is not secured with interest nor tied to a property.

There are some debts that you may owe that can’t be cleared by bankruptcy that you’ll have to pay back on your own. This type of debt includes student loans, child support, and any back taxes that you owe. Make sure that the lawyer has all the information needed to make an accurate application for bankruptcy.

Once you’ve determined all your debt you’ll be filing a bankruptcy petition with the local courts in your area. Your creditors will need to be contacted and notified that you’ve filed for bankruptcy. Once you’ve filed for bankruptcy your creditors will be unable to contact you and won’t be able to collect any of the money that you owe them.

The court will assign a trustee in response to your bankruptcy case. He is liable to contact your creditors and pay their dues. All the proceedings will commence only after all your property, if you own any, is sold off and hence the funds are raised. These funds are spent on repayment of your debts. If the place you live in entitles you to receive a part of the profit made by selling off your property, you would get that. Or you might end up in receiving an allowance for a fixed period of time, in order to restart your life.

Bankruptcy is a long and a tedious process. It may affect your financial outlook for years to come. So make sure that all the papers are intact with you for the bankruptcy process.

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Is a Credit Score Chart Useful?

Sunday, August 24th, 2008
by Mallory Biggs

Knowing your credit score is rare in America. Much rarer still is an American who knows his score and also knows what it equates to in borrowing power. That is what this chart is designed to do; it reveals the whole spectrum of credit scores from the very best credit all the way down to the worst. This is the difference between the ability to get a completely limitless credit card account and the lack of ability to get any type of a loan at all. This kind of chart could be the most helpful financial tool you ever use.

Knowing what your credit score can determine how your life turns out. The higher the credit score, the more respect you get from lenders and banks that want to do business with you. The credit score chart on the Repair Credit Score Information website gives people a clear picture of the scores that represent their credit history better.

The average American credit score for 2008 is 678, which constitutes as “fair” on most credit score charts. This is only marginally better than “uncertain”, and the average credit score continues to steadily decline at a rate parallel to that of American bankruptcies and home foreclosures.

How do you recognize a Credit Score Chart?

These handy charts show what the various numbers mean in terms of credit scores, using both position and color to illustrate the categories which represent your ‘borrowing power.” An ideal credit score chart clearly defines the types of credit in relation to scores and differentiates between those types using color, usually green for good and red for bad. A line is drawn between acceptable and unacceptable. It clearly shows where the average US credit score falls on the chart, too.

The better credit score charts available all demonstrate both the average US credit score and the range of different credit score categories experienced by consumers. They are easy to read and understand as a result of clear color coding, and will often assist in clarifying the reasons for your credit score. The better ones are the least complicated, as are all of the most useful tools in life.

Don’t underestimate the usefulness of the credit score chart

The credit score chart is extremely useful for several reasons. The first reason is because it is easy to read and understand. The color breaks make is easy to pick out each level. The words associated with the scores give a good understanding of the different levels with the US average credit score marked.

You will be able to tell quickly just by viewing it if you have cause to worry or not.

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