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Clear from American Express

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5.99% fixed APR on balance transfers.
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CARD FEATURES
Automatic Rewards
When you spend $2,500, you get an American Express® branded shopping card worth $25.I Complimentary credit report (with credit score) every 12 months

Clear from American Express®

• Pay over time or pay in full.
  
• Grace Period for purchases is 28-31 days, if the previous balance shown on each billing statement is paid in full by each respective due date.
  

• Emergency Card ReplacementVII: Receive a new Card if yours has been lost or stolen in as little as 24 hours.
  
• Global Assist® HotlineVIII: Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, we'll provide you with emergency assistance 24/7, including medical and legal referrals, visa/passport help, cash access, lost luggage and more.
  

• Access your account online 24/7: Pay your bill or view up-to-date billing information, including transactions, charges, and payments.
  
• Online Year-End Summary: Organize your expenses in a snap - download and print the Summary; sort charges by date, merchant name, amount or category, such as Travel and Restaurant.IX
  

DID YOU KNOW?

	As you look at the amortization schedule that you have in front of you, it is likely that you’ll need to take some time to figure out what those numbers mean. After all, the schedule is an outstanding way for you to understand what you are agreeing to when you purchase that loan. Not only does it help you understand what you are paying for, it can be a way to find the best mortgage for your needs. What The Numbers Mean When you have the amortization schedule in your hand, you may have already signed on the dotted line. But, you can use tools online to help you figure out what it will be long before you even call the mortgage lender. There are some of the numbers you are likely to see on the screen when you use a product like an amortization calculator to help you figure your schedule. The loan summary provided will tell you what the amounts are. Look here for some important information. The monthly payment. One of the first and most important numbers to look at is the monthly principal and interest payment. Simply, can you afford to make this sized payment monthly? The total payments. This will tell you how much you will pay completely when you have paid off your mortgage. This takes into account the principal as well as the interest you’ll pay. Interest paid is another number you’ll see. Yes, it's likely to cause you to grasp your wallet a little tighter but this is the amount that borrowing money for your mortgage will cost you. You will also see a payoff date listed. This is the final payment that you’ll make on your loan. The Amortization Schedule Itself The amortization schedule is provided next on this report. Here is what you’ll find there. It will list the month and the year of each payment you’ll make. It will list the amount of money that will go towards paying down the interest of the loan. Normally, you will pay a much larger portion in interest at the start of your loan and less at the end. It will list the amount of money you will pay monthly to the principal or the amount that you actually borrowed. Unlike the interest, the principal starts off low and ends up higher. That means you pay more towards interest than you do towards principal. Lastly, it will provide you with the estimated balance of the loan at each monthly level. Lastly, when it comes to using this amortization schedule to help you to find the right mortgage lender use it to compare rates, terms as well as how much in principal/interest will be paid off monthly. See what happens when you change the numbers just slightly. Compare the rates of several companies and how they affect the payments you’ll be making for up to the next 30 years. The amortization schedule is a tool you have to consider when purchasing a home.

Have you ever found yourself asking this question?

If you have you are not alone. There are thousands of people who find themselves looking at their bank statements or calling their banks and asking this same exact question.

The problem is two fold. By this I mean, as consumers it is our money so it is our duty to keep track of our finances not the banks or anyone else. Most people lack the knowledge to understand that we as consumer should not be calling the bank to ask this question, we should already know the answer.

Let's discuss this a little deeper...

Why is it that most people don't keep track of their finances? Some of the top 'excuses' I hear are:

1. Lack of time
2. "Forgetfullness"
3. Don't know!

Lack of Time

Today it is not unheard of for people to complain about not having enough time in a day to do all of things we have to do. Between soccer practice, doctor's appointments, and helping with homework and all of the other things we have to do in any given day it is no wonder we don't have the time to do the simple things.

Keeping track of your account is really a simple task if you learn how to do it the right way.

The ironic thing about all of this is that the banks GIVE you the tools you need to effectively manage your accounts. But majority of use fail to even use a fraction of those tools.

For example, most banks offer some sort of online banking option. This option makes it easy for you to monitor your banking transactions from anywhere with an internet connection. You can also perform some basic maintenance task without ever having to call your bank.

What makes this such a great tool is that it is available 24 hours a day. So after you have had a chance to put the kids to bed and settled down you could balance your daily expenses using this helpful tool.

Note: It is important to note here that any of the tools that the bank put at your disposal are just that... tools! They are not there to keep track of your account for you. That is your job.

Forgetfulness!

Let's face it with all that is going on in our days how can we remember every single thing that we buy in a day. It is inevitable that we will forget something and that is one of the reasons that we find ourselves scratching our heads and asking the question "What Happend To My Money?"

Creating a system that allows for you to keep on schedule but at the same time keeping accurate records of your daily expenses is crucial.

Depending on your lifestyle you should examine your daily routines and find a way and/or time when you can track what it you spend your money on day in and day out.

Don't Know

This one comes down to complete and total laziness. It just couldn't be said any other way.

People get lazy. It is easier to not do it and expect someone else to do it than it is to take an interest in where your money is going every single day.

It goes without saying that being lazy almost always leads to more troubles. By not taking OWNERSHIP of YOUR finances you are leaving it in the hands of strangers.

My dear sweet Grandma used to say "If you want something done right... do it yourself!"

If that ain't about right!

If you want to change your life financially you have to know where to start making changes. That simply cannot be done if you don't already know where your money is going now!

Well now that we have covered some of the more common reasons most people don't keep track of their finances what are some solutions?

1. Hire an accountant
2. Get off your lazy butt and do it.
3. Let things continue the way they are. (Not Recommended)

Take your pick. I suggest option #2.

If you would like to know just how myself and my wife started to keep better track of our finances visit the following link:

http://www.budgetingbasics.com

Not only will you learn how track your daily expenditures easily and quickly, but you will also receive additional tools and tips to help create the ultimate budgeting system that will have your bank account growing at an alarming rate.