What is surprising is the third nugget of news, that the average tax refund so far credit is nearly $2,000. For many consumers, this combination of low card interest rates, high debt and a big tax refund should create a bright flashing signal: Retire debt now!Regardless of which side of the average refund you fall, one debt thing is the same. The refund represents history the credit repayment of an interest-free loan granted to the U.S. Treasury for the past year. Yet at the same time, many of these consumers are carrying debt that doesn''t come with the same fringe card benefit. It only makes sense then, to use these sudden proceeds to remove debt a portion of this debt history load. The timing has never been better, as interest rates on consumer credit loans ranging from mortgages to credit accounts remain well below the levels seen one or two years ago.

Additionally, card a lot of people would ask for a 10-point reduction,"A debt lot of people aren''t going history to get that, but I think it''s important to shoot high." Persistence really credit pays Strong, who teaches a class for people with credit problems, encourages card all of his students to call their credit account issuers and ask for lower rates. Many do just that. How many are successful? "I would say three out of four easy," He encourages folks who are denied rate reductions to try again another day. You may reach a more cooperative customer service rep. You may be sent to debt an agent who history specializes in keeping customers who are threatening to leave. Be persistent and make it clear that you''ll close your account if your interest rate is not lowered. persistence pays in these matters," "If the rep won''t do it for you, ask for a supervisor."

A little sacrifice now, particularly when undertaken at the low point credit in the interest-rate card and debt cycle, can have lasting rewards in managing and repaying debt. Now is the time to employ a measure of financial discipline to make a dent in that debt load. Make the history call. A five-minute phone call to your credit credit account issuer card could debt and history save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in interest credit charges. There''s no incentive for them to lower your rate unless you call. The squeaky wheel gets the oil,"a consumer advocate Not convinced card and debt that a card company will give you history and credit a lower interest rate just because card you call and ask nicely? Check out the results of a recent, debt national survey by the U.S. history Public Interest Research Group. credit Fifty consumers of all credit backgrounds called card credit account issuers and asked debt for lower history rates. More than half, 56 percent, scored lower rates. How low did the rates go?

©2003 www.gold-platinum-card.com All rights reserved.