Credit Simple
‘Going guarantor’ are two dangerous little words. “Nan, will you go guarantor on my car? You don’t have to pay any money.” Stop right there. Going guarantor can be a great way to help others out. But it’s way more risky than most people think. Read this article before you say yes or no. The worst-case scenario is that the lender comes after you for the money. Parents have lost their homes from going guarantor and families have been torn…
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An acquaintance said to me – rather smugly – the other day, “I don’t need to check my credit score, because I don’t have a credit history.” “Oh, you don’t?” I said. “Have you checked it in the past and discovered you didn’t have a profile in the system?” “No,” he said. “But I’ve never had any hire purchases or a car loan, so they won’t have anything on me.” Many people think that a credit history is built solely…
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Ever been on a diet? A really strict diet? Chances are, you went crazy about all the things you couldn’t have, felt way too restricted, and had a blowout with a tray of donuts and a one-litre tub of salted caramel gelato. (No? Oh… OK, just me then.) Your finances are a bit like a diet, only in reverse: if you succeed, your bank account is the thing that gets fat. But just like being on a diet, if you’re…
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Buying yourself a set of wheels is expensive. If you’ve saved the cash to buy the car, that’s great. But realistically, most young people have to borrow money to buy a car. If that’s you, brush up on a few things before you sign on the dotted line. Save Saving up and paying cash is the cheapest way to buy a car. Ask around and you’ll find friends who have done it. Surprising, huh? Downgrade your expectations We know you…
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There’s no magic in becoming financially fit. But Credit Simple’s Four Pillars of Wealth approach can help you get there. Going from debt to building wealth is easier than you might think. We guarantee there are people around you earning no more than you do who are well on their way to wealth. Here’s how to become one of them: Pillar one: spend less Do you know your needs from your wants? It’s only you who suffers if you’re not…
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I’m not who you think I am. Sure, you probably don’t think of me at all, which is fine (I won’t judge you for it) but what surprised me is I’m not who I thought I was either. I got an email from a guy out of the blue asking me if I was investing in a ceramics factory in Thailand. A curious opening gambit, for sure, but having checked my portfolio and discussed matters with my business manager (Me:…
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We got an email the other day from a guy who actually said “help me delete my credit history”. He’d registered for Credit Simple, discovered his credit score was in the 200s, and decided the best thing was to just wipe it all off the history of the world, immediately and forever. Great idea in theory. And many people point to other parts of the world where there’s such a thing as “the right to be forgotten“, where you can…
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Nobody wants expensive car insurance! But with a little bit of insider knowledge, you can get top notch insurance without having to fork over a fortune. Here are five factors that affect how much you’ll pay for your premium. 1. Your credit score Many insurance companies take the position that people with a low credit score are more likely to make a claim. Things like credit defaults and repossession have a big effect on your credit score, so check it…
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Getting your first rental is a rite of passage into the big wide world. You’ll have lots of fun times nesting in your own space. But there’s a lot to learn to make it a great experience. 1. Be prepared to wear out your shoe leather. You may need to sign up with several local rental agencies and keep a hawk eye out online until you find the one – and get accepted. Before signing the tenancy agreement ask yourself:…
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