Tuesday, October 19, 2010

How To Wisely Use Financial Services When Purchasing Big Ticket Items

Many people dream of owning expensive items, like fancy cars or expensive musical equipment, and then utilize financial services, such as loans and credit cards, in order to pay for those items. However, most people do not utilize these financial services wisely and then end up getting themselves into quite a bit of trouble, especially with their interest payments and their credit histories. If you are thinking about purchasing some big ticket items, like new furniture or a brand new big screen TV, and need to know how to properly take advantage of the available financial services that are out there, this article can help.
Before attempting to secure financial services, like loans and credit cards, to pay for big ticket items, you should assess whether or not you really need those items. A great way to make this assessment is to think about how you are going to use those items. For example, you should think about whether or not the item is purely for show and entertainment, or if it really has a purpose. Many musicians, for instance, spend good money on quality instruments because they need them in order to perform. Purchasing a new television for your home, however, is usually seen as a purchase that is purely for entertainment reasons, especially if you already own a TV that works. The television purchase usually can wait, while having little to no effect upon your life.
Once you have decided that your purchase is necessary, you should also take a look at the state of your finances. It is never a good idea to try and subscribe to new financial services, such as credit cards and loans, if your finances are currently in serious trouble. Never purchase big ticket items when you are in serious debt and owe back payments.
If you decide that it is safe for you to take advantage of lending-based financial services, you can then explore your options. Today, there are quite a few financial services available and each has its own set of advantages. For example, some financial services that are available to help you purchase expensive items include store cards, credit cards, payment plans, and personal loans. Figuring out which of these financial services is right for you and your purchase will help keep your finances and your credit history intact.
Some stores offer financial services, like store cards with deferred payment plans. These financial services are great for purchasing expensive items, especially if you take advantage of the promotional deals that are available throughout the year. For instance, some of these financial services allow you to take up to a year paying off the amount of money that was loaned to you and do not charge any interest during that time. However, you will be penalized heavily for using these financial services if you do not make the minimum monthly payments or if you still have some money left to pay off at the end of the promotional period because these financial services tend to charge much higher interest rates than regular credit cards and personal loans.
There are some retailers who currently offer financial services known as deferred or scheduled payment plans. These financial services give you the option to pay off a portion of the bill each month until the product has been paid for in full. Such financial services do not come with a credit card and interest and penalties are not charged unless you fail to make a payment on time. In some cases, the full payment may be required if a scheduled payment is missed.
One of the most popular financial services that is used for purchasing expensive items is credit cards. Credit cards are issued by a number of financial services institutions, including banks and credit card companies. However, these credit-based financial services must be used very carefully when charging large amounts of money to them.
When using financial services, such as credit cards, to pay for expensive purchases, there are a few rules that must be followed. For example, in order to keep your credit score up and your credit history clean, you should never max out your card. In fact, you should generally keep your total balance well below your credit limit. Additionally, you need to pay off as much of the balance as possible each month and should never be late on your payments. Following these rules will make you look like a great customer in the eyes of the different financial services companies that offer loans and other financial services.
To help save when using financial services, like credit cards, to purchase big ticket items, be sure to use a credit card that has a rewards program. Some of these programs include cash back rewards, coupons, and points that can be used to redeem a number of products and services.
Some people utilize financial services, such as personal loans, in order to purchase expensive things. This is generally not recommended because loan-based financial services should preferably be used for serious emergencies and necessities. However, if you do use loan-based financial services, be sure to treat your loan just like your credit card payments. Pay off the balance regularly and on time and never pay less than the minimum payment that is required.
Although these financial services can help you pay for those big purchases, there is one more thing you can do to help you obtain the things you wish to buy and it has nothing to do with the financial services industry. Use coupons. Coupons can help you save big on tons of items and you should always use a coupon when purchasing something that is quite expensive. Today, coupons are very easy to find by searching the Web. In fact, there are tons of websites that are dedicated to providing people with coupons for free. Always search for a coupon prior to making a big purchase.
If you are dreaming of buying a new expensive TV, musical equipment, or some other big ticket purchase, always be sure to use the available financial services wisely. Look for promotional deals, coupons, and interest free payment plans to help make your purchasing dreams come true.

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