
ALERT!!!! COMING SOON TO A MAILBOX NEAR YOU
How did you feel about asking to borrow something? • What did you consider when agreeing to loan the item? • What are the reasons you denied or considered denying the request?
UNIT 5 CREDIT…… BUY NOW…..PAY LATER
THE SWORD CUTS BOTH WAYS: A TOOL OR A TRAP
CREDIT The willingness to loan you money (called principal) in exchange for promise to pay it back, usually with interest (cost for using someone else’s money).
CREDIT COSTS • AMOUNT BORROWED • LOAN LENGTH • RATE OF INTEREST
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? • ACCESS TO CASH IN AN EMERGENCY • ABILITY TO USE IT NOW • SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE • EARN REWARDS
WHERE TO GET CREDIT • BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS • OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS • STORES • COLLEGES • FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT
CREDIT CARDS • BUY NOW PAY LATER • COST • APR • ANNUAL FEE • GRACE PERIOD • MINIMUM PAYMENT (2%) • CREDIT LIMIT
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH • CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS • MORTGAGE PAYMENTS
COMPARING CREDIT OFFERS • APR • LENGTH OF LOAN • MAX AMOUNT OF LOAN • MINIMUM PAYMENT • ANNUAL OR UP-FRONT FEES • PREPAYMENT PENALTIES • INCOME NEEDE TO QUALIFY
CREDIT REPORTS • EXPERIAN • EQUIFAX • TRANSUNION
CREDIT HISTORY • YOUR SCORECARD IN FINANCIAL MATTERS • FOR PAST 7-10 YEARS • ANY FINANCIAL ACCOUNT • POTENTIAL LENDERS • POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
HOW TO BUILD GOOD CREDIT HISTORY • USE A CHECKING ACCOUNT • DON’T BOUNCE CHECKS - OVERDRAW • OPEN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT – REGULAR DEPOSIT • MAKE PAYMENTS ON TIME (RENT)
LENDER WANT TO KNOW • CAPACITY: ABILITY TO REPAY LOAN, STEADY/RISING INCOME, EMPLOYMENT, DEBT • CHARACTER: TRUSTWORTHY? CREDIT REPORT SHOWS CHARACTER • CAPITAL: WHAT IS YOUR WORTH? VALUABLE ASSETS? (CAR, HOUSE, COLLECTIBLES)
ASK YOURSELF • DO I REALLY NEED THIS? • CAN I QUALIFY FOR CREDIT? • WHAT IS APR? • ARE THERE ADDITIONAL FEES? • HOW MUCH ARE THE PAYMENTS? • CAN I AFFORD THE MONTHLY PAYMENT • WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DON’T PAY? • WHAT WILL I GIVE UP TO PAY FOR IT? • ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, IS IT WORTH IT?
RIGHTS / RESPONSIBILITIES • SIGNATURE = LEGALLY OBLIGATED • FORCLOSURE / REPOSSESS • CONSUMER RIGHTS: • TOTAL COST OF USING CREDIT • ALLOWED TO CANCEL -3 DAYS • CREDIT CARDS-$50.00 LIMIT
UNDER EXCESSIVE DEBT • HARDER GETTING OUT THAN IN • SPEND LESS THAN YOU EARN • BUDGET • TALK TO LENDERS • HIGHEST RATE TO LOWEST RATE • CREDIT COUNSELOR
BANKRUPTCY • SHOULD BE LAST RESORT • IS A LEGAL PROCESS • Chapter 7: ERASES MOST OF YOUR DEBT. MUST QUALIFY.FINANCIAL COUNSELLING. • Chapter 13: ALLOWS TO PAY BACK WITH MORE TIME. COURT OVERSEES THE REPAYMENT PLAN.
BANKRUPTCY COSTLY TO ALL • LENDERS ABSORB LOSSES • RESPONSIBLE BORROWERS PAY HIGHER RATES • 10 YEARS IN CREDIT RECORD – HARDER TO GET CREDIT