Other Finance Related Services - The following directory listings on DebtConsolidationLoan.com are provided to assist you with the management or consolidation of your debt. Also, while on this site, feel free to shop for other financial services such as auto insurance and home equity loans.

• Debt Consolidation Help - Learn about the debt consolidation process and review detailed listings for lenders and services offering to help consolidate your debts.
• Settlement of Debt - Are you finding yourself unable to meet your monthly budget because of too many credit card payments? Negotiating your debts may or may not be the right choice to get help with your financial situation. Compare programs designed for helping people with similar debt problems.
• Debt Management Counseling - Do you feel that your credit card bills are stacking up with nowhere for you to turn? Your problem is not unique. Signing up with debt management firm may be the right solution to your debt problems. Review different firms offering these services to determine if this is the correct option for you.

Taking Charge of Your Credit Cards

22. Read and save the "disclosures" describing a card's features and fees so you know how to save money. "When it comes to information about the terms of your credit card, be a pack rat," said Janet Kincaid, FDIC Senior Consumer Affairs Officer.

Key information to look for and keep: What is the interest rate and how can it change? Is there an annual fee? What about charges for late payments, returned checks, balance transfers or exceeding your credit limit? What's the cost of a "cash advance" — typically meaning you use your credit card to get cash from an ATM or to make a purchase using one of the blank "convenience checks" sent with monthly statements? Cash advances are likely to carry sizable upfront fees, a high interest rate and no grace period before interest begins accumulating. Also, stay on top of fee increases by reading and saving the disclosures sent in monthly statements or other mailings.

Avoiding additional charges isn't the only reason to become an avid reader of your credit card company's literature. Potential cost savings built into your card also are worth exploring. For example, your credit card may automatically include, at no extra charge, extended warranties on purchases and insurance for car rentals. Your card also may offer cash back on purchases, rewards good for airline travel or products and services, and various other extras. Also be aware of the rules governing these perks because limitations, fees and deadlines may greatly reduce their value.

FDIC Consumer News is published by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

FDIC Consumer News is produced quarterly by the FDIC Office of Public Affairs in cooperation with other Divisions and Offices. It is intended to present information in a nontechnical way and is not intended to be a legal interpretation of FDIC or other government regulations and policies. Mention of a product, service or company does not constitute an endorsement.

Find current and past issues of FDIC Consumer News at http://www.fdic.gov/consumernews. Refer to this same index to locate the issues that are specially formatted for being reprinted in any quantity.

To receive an e-mail notice about each new issue of FDIC Consumer News posted on the FDIC Web site, with links to stories, follow instructions posted at www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Last updated on 8/10/2007

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