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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

How Can I Find The Best Whole Life Insurance Quotes

By Jack Dentwood

Many people do tend to forget or they may not know, that they should have a whole life insurance policy so that if they do die, then all of their debts and expenses will be covered after they are gone and will not be left for their loved ones to pay.

You will want to take care of your family and you will also want to make sure that you have the opportunity to understand how much this type of policy will help your family after you have gone. When you are shopping for life insruance, you should make sure that you know what benefits are included for the premium that you are paying out.

Along with knowing what the exact terms of the policy are, it is important to make sure that you find the very best whole life insurance rate. While it is very safe to say that any whole life insurance quotes you pay is going to be more expensive then term insurance, it is certainly worth it.

Now if you are already on the hunt for more information on whole life insurance, then the chances are that you are already aware of the different things that it contains and thus you will not be on the hunt for a bargain. But, you should be aware that there are some great deals to be had out there.

You should shop around for a deal, as you will probably be able to get one of the best deals on a whole life insurance policy from a number of different companies. When you do have a look at the different prices that are out there your probably will be surprised with the amount that you could be saving if you go with one insurer and not another.

The first thing that you need to be certain of is that you are comparing insurance policies that are covering you for the same thing and are offering you the same policy. You will want to start calling around getting quotes and note down the different prices of the quotes and the different types of terms that the companies have.

Once you have spoken to all of the insurance companies that are offering you a whole life policy that will fit with your needs, you should take the time to review your list and make sure you have taken everything down. Also, you should look at the different quotes that are available so that you can see which one will best suit your budget.

In the end, with enough time and research put into it, you can walk away knowing that you truly are receiving the best whole life insurance quotes out there and that you are getting the deal that you deserve.

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How To Find Notes-Speak My Language? A Lesson On Buying Notes

By Dean Engle

Do you remember that 1981 hit from "Men at Work called Land Down Under?" (OK, so I was a big Men-at-Work fan, I admit.)

I recieved an email from a Korean by the name of Joe and it reminded me of the show.

How Is This Related To Buying Notes?

Relationships matter. This is one of the most important lessons that you will learn in the world of finding notes, and Joe's story demonstrates that.

In fact, not only do relationships matter, but "commonalities" matter. In other words, what you want to do when you're trying to find notes is to find out ways to build ties with your seller.

The commonality can be a list of things like sports, pastimes, favorites books, foods, etc. They can be social, cultural, sports-related, geographical, you name it. Just find something in common.

Joe's Little Gem of A Story On How To Find Notes

Here is the email that Joe sent to me:

"I am the owner of a Korean Investment Club. I do not undertand the note buying business very well and therefore I am not ready to think about buying notes. Last week I was approached by a big Korean bank who wanted me to buy their notes. They told me to offer any amount for the first trust deed. The property is a 79 room motel with attached restaurants. It is worth over $4 million and the defaulted mortgage has a face value of about $2.7 million which includes interest. I am really interested in buying the notes. Thank you for time."

So What is Happening Here?

We have a big Korean Bank that has just sent out a very good lead. And we have Joe-the owner of a Korean Real Estate Investment Club.

Is There Anything That Joe Knows About Buying Notes?

No - he admits as much in the first line of his email. So do you think that he pitched to this big Investment Bank that he would be the perfect guy to buy their non performing notes?

No he did not. The note buying opportunity found him. And it also seems that they are willing to accept any offer that he makes on that note.

Now try to not to focus on the the great opportunity that has been offered to Joe, who might be albe to make a low bid on this note. Don't focus on the fact that he might be able to foreclose on a $4 million dollar motel.

But hang on a minute. I want to point out something that is so simple when you are trying to find notes, that you probably glossed over it already, thinking that you're supposed to be looking for something more complicated.

Joe is from where? Korea. What kind of a bank is this? Korean.

It shouldn't be a surprise that this note, which is a California property happens to find its way to Joe.

Tips on Finding Notes

Remember when you are trying to find notes, banks often want to sell notes to people that they can talk to.

These people might also look like them, talke like them, act like them, and do business like them.

The chances are, even a well known investor trying to find notes probably wouldn't get the same recognition from the Korean Bank that Joe did. They just preferred to deal with him because Joe had that one commonality that you or me could never have. Because of this, getting to know each other was a simpler process for Joe than it would be for you or me.

So start applying this note buying tip today.

Find the similarities that You and your Seller share.

Go find someone who speaks your language, and then see if they have notes for sale.

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10 Money Saving Tips

By Michael James

In order to get through the current recession, more people are looking for those extra ways to save a little money. Even if you are already doing a number of things to save money, there is always something that you may not have considered. These 10 tips for saving money should be helpful:

1. Rent out a room. The number one expense for most Americans is their housing. You could take on a roommate if you have a two bedroom apartment and are single. If you own a house and have an extra room, you could rent that out as well. Not only do you save on the cost of housing, but you can also split the costs of utilities.

2. Carpool and share a car. If it is at all possible to be a one car household, then it will save you a bundle. Arrange to carpool to work, which helps your coworkers save money too. You will save on auto maintenance costs, fuel, and insurance. You'll also make or free up some extra cash on the sale of your car.

3. Quit smoking. You should really quit smoking because of the health risks it poses, but if you just could not find the inspiration to quit before, quit for the money it will save you. A pack a day habit can cost about $150 bucks a month. That's money better spent elsewhere.

4. Avoid sales. It's easy to be lured in by all the supposed savings of department store sales, but if you don't need it now, keep the money for yourself. Remember, that savings of $60 is really an expenditure of $20.

5. Stay away from financing offers. Some places are offering financing for purchases that declare that you don't need to make any payments for a full year, or for two years. However, if you have not made any payments by that time, you will be charged with sky high interest rates on your purchase. It's best not to buy something you can not afford to pay for in cash.

6. Turn off your electronics. Stop paying for electricity you don't really need to use. When you are finished with using the computer, turn it off. Shut off lights when you are not in that room. Stop leaving the TV on all the time as background noise. Only turn it on if you are watching one of your favorite programs.

7. Disconnect your internet and cable service. If you really need to catch up online, you can go to a cyber cafe, or a public library. You can hang out with friends or family to see those "can't miss" tv shows. Spend the rest of your unplugged life reading books, cleaning the house, or getting out and doing some exercise.

8. Cancel the gym membership. You can get by for you workout needs by using elastic bands for resistance training. Walk or jog for more aerobic training. There's no need to pay all that money to exercise.

9. Compare your expenses. You can think of various alternatives, and chart out the costs incurred for each one. For example, make a list of how much it will cost to take the bus, versus driving. Be sure to think of all costs incurred, such as fare, fuel, parking, insurance. Choose the alternative that is least expensive.

10. Track your expenses. Keep a spreadsheet, or use an expense tracking software. By keeping an eye on where you are spending money, it will be easier to see where you can cut expenses.

If you start with these money saving tips, you will be able to find new ways to save money. If you make it a priority to stay true to keeping expenses low, you will find yourself weathering the recession just fine.

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Should You Consider A Payday Loan?

By WIC

The introduction of 'payday loans' caused quite a stir in the financial world. Nowadays, payday loans are a lot more common. Many jurisdictions in the US have imposed limits to the interest rates charged and the market as a whole is more regulated. It's safer than ever to choose a payday loan, but should you consider a payday loan in your situation?

A payday loan is sometimes also called a paycheck advance. This is a pretty accurate description, if you keep in mind why most people apply for a payday loan. Many times, there is a little month left at the end of the money, and a payday loan is a handy solution.

The good thing about a payday loan is that it's quick. They are usually very small loans, many times not more than a few hundred dollars. The payday loan is an extremely short term loan. It can be issued very quick, but payment needs to be done in a couple of weeks tops. If you're not too sure about your ability to pay back the payday loan in time, don't go for it. It will cost you a lot of money if you're late.

However, if you are convinced you can easily pay back your payday loan and you need to get out of a messy situation, by all means apply. A payday loan is definitely not the most cost effective way of borrowing money, but it is quick and easy.

These days, many jurisdictions have decided to impose severe limitations to the interest amount a payday loan advance issuer can charge by law. Some jurisdictions have almost no rules whatsoever, so always check on this. If you ever find yourself in a tough situation, remember the upsides and downsides of a payday loan.

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Payday Loan No Credit

By Jim Parker

When was the last time that you needed money because of an emergency and you weren't able to get any even from loaning through a financial institution? Is it a nasty experience? Many would say that during an emergency it would be best if you will be able to get access through those things that you will be able to collect money from but the reality is, that is not actually the case. Probably one would say is there such loans that you can actually get approved within the same day? Well the good news is, there is such loan service that can help you out with the financial assistance that you need and that is through sameday payday loans.

Have you come across loans that has been granted on the same day of its issuance? Well you've got to know that sameday payday loans can be availed by almost everybody and it's very reliable. By the way, when we say same day that would be the 24 hour time line that will be given for the approval of the application.

If you are definitely in an emergency situation and you would like to take advantage of this certain service, you don't have to hesitate applying for the sameday payday loans service because it's open to serve you anytime of the day. This same day payday loans option will allow your application be processed within the day and allow you to get access to that money at the soonest time possible.

This time around, with same day payday loans processing, you don't have to worry about those days that you will be spending talking to the loans approval department just to settle all the requirements needed and have them faxed to them every time that they require a copy of this and that. Now all you have to do is to fill up an application form on a particular web site and submit it for processing. Security wise regarding internet fraud will not be an issue because the server of these lenders have your information encrypted and that would be for the security of your account information.

So if you are indeed in the midst of losing financial stability and the only way to resolve the issue is to borrow money as quickly as possible, then the same day payday option would be the best service that you can take advantage of and after you'll be able to take a deep breath from aggravation and do the things that you normally do.

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Step Up Your FICO Scores

By Karl Graus

Having a clean credit report in these market conditions is important. With the tightened up requirements for a new mortgage or loan, your credit score may be more important than ever. Now, we're going to examine how you can raise your FICO score almost overnight.

Charge offs have to be removed from your credit report if you want to improve your credit. Charge offs can have a truly problematic effect on your FICO score. Put shortly, you want them removed from your credit report. But if they are there, there are still ways of removing them. This will improve your FICO score and give you lower interest rates and monthly payments in return.

Getting charge offs removed begins with a copy of your credit report. Every calendar year, you get 1 copy of your credit report. This allows you te investigate what's in your report.

It's not uncommon to see a mistake on your credit report. When you find one, compose a real letter to the credit bureau. Do not write an email, compose a real letter. You know, with ink and a stamp. If you don't hear from the bureau within a month, the charge off gets dropped from your report. This way, you get your FICO scores moving up again.

Certainly, it's a lot of work for a small step. But that's what raising credit score is all about, one step at a time.. Just a small difference in interest for a mortgage can save you thousands and thousands of dollars over a few years. So be meticulous when doing your preparation.

Going over your credit report is not done by a lot of people. They assume that everything is reported fine. The truth is that there are many mistakes being made. You can get the errors off your credit report and increase your score. You just have review your report, find the mistakes and send a letter to the credit bureaus. You can save thousands of dollars just by taking action.

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Fight the Credit Card Appeal

By Paul J. Easton

Are you feeling the pinch of the financial crisis today? You are probably one of the many who are now heavily in debt and are distressed with all the pressures of life. The current situation may not that be encouraging but it can still be remedied. Even if it may seem impossible, the process of getting out of debt is still workable with a few intelligent advices. So keep reading.

Getting out of debt is something we must all make as a top priority to make our lives much lighter. With the gloomy forecasts and the pessimistic outlook of our current state, we all have to worry less with our problems. We can get through these hard times if we tackle one problem at a time and we must start with out debts.

Usually, overspending is the ultimate short cut to a life full of debt. With money you don't own as in credit cards, you tend to spend more money than you truly have. By using credit cards, you expose yourself to mismanagement of your resources because you have a perceived capacity of buying yourself something which you cannot afford in reality.

Using these instruments to pay your everyday expenses is okay but the moment you exceed your capacity, you are growing a debt which can later be mishandled. With less disciplined consumers nowadays, it is highly advisable to use cash for everyday purchases. Groceries, clothes, gas, and other necessary expenses should be paid with cash straight from the wallet. You can use debit cards as well for convenience, they work like cash too.

Turning your personal finances around is definitely a challenge with your credit cards. If you can't resist the appeal of credit cards, it is much advisable to cut them up. It will take the best of your discipline to keep on going with the process of getting out of debt. It is a process that will require you to make a big commitment to live with this temporarily until the goal is achieved. The moral lesson here is that using your card makes you accountable and paying for it now is where the accountability gets into play.

The good news is that it is workable with just the right persons behind you. Involve your family with this emotional roller coaster. Ask for their support. Tell your friends to understand you when you cannot be with them during the weekend night outs. Ask for professional help if needed. In not time, you will be rewarded when you aim your purpose.

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Powerful Tips To Assist You In Maintaining Your Sound Credit

By Frank Froggatt

If your credit is healthy and you don't even wish to discover yourself in need of a a debt specialist service, keep track of your record and stay up to date with the action on your report. Some people have awful credit because they didn't watch out for alterations or anomalies in their credit reports.

Your sensed creditworthiness is the regulating factor when going for an automobile, home, or any other loan. What you possess on your report tells future lenders whether you can be reliable to pay them back.

Most people do not understand that landlords, employers and companies checks credit scores before preparing a determination on whether or not they can grant a contract or a job. The scores and credit report can help companies determine whether you pay your accounts on time or if you have registered for bankruptcies. By doing so, they can apply the information on your credit report as a coming marker of your credit worthiness.

Although keeping up a good credit report can be quite a challenge rather challenging, there is no sounder way to keep you risk-free from debt than by cautiously observing your spending and incessantly staying on a budget. Budgets are significant as they can assist you in controlling your funds, diminishing your debt and constructing a good credit history.

In the subject of grappling your debt, the first matter you can do is to keep track of your spending habits. You can do this by creating blueprints of what you expend and track anything that you might owe. Monthly statements should be gone over when they arrive and incessantly watch for any possible inconsistencies. To Boot, always remember to report them immediately.

Be sure to pay your accounts on or before the day they're due to avert late fees and if achievable, strive to pay more than the minimal expected payment.( In full would be ideal) And never skip payments, ever. These, with your budget program will assist you in keeping or sustain you accounts in sound standing.

Another measure you can adopt is not to surpass your credit limit. The on hand credit is the amount left on your credit line normally interpreted by the difference between your credit limit and your outstanding balance. Constantly remember to keep the balance lower than the limit of the credit. Additionally, make a point to add any charges you made after the closing date to your outstanding balance enclosed in the periodic statement; doing so can help you find out just how much credit you have left.

In summary, take control of your funds. Make that budget, moderate expenditure, produce punctual payments, drastically cut back or stop using credit cards entirely until you are in the black and resolve to stick with the plan. Follow through to completion and you'll observe you've established a strong credit history.

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Why TIC investments

By Jafer Ali Shriff

By Jafer Ali Shariff

Recent years have seen a surge in people investing in real estate. They seem to have finally realized that real estate is possibly the only investment which offers a tight safety-net in today's volatile and highly unpredictable world economy. While the U.S. dollar can not seem to rise out of its nosedive and the U.S. economy seems to be a victim of a very bad case of volatility, land remains an important source of income for many people as it has remained for so many others since the beginning of time.

Up until the very recent past, the number one arrangement for real estate investment remained to be partnerships. Partnerships have been a force to be reckoned with, be it in terms of real estate or in terms of any other field such as sports, music, movies, etc. However, lately, people seem to be opting for TIC arrangements instead of partnerships for their real estate investment needs. This has proved to be a very wise decision as TICs are able to offer safety as well as the prospect of high profits by nullifying the hindrances found in partnerships.

Firstly, unlike partnerships where the investor would own a stake in the partnership which in turn would own the property, TICs allow investors to own a fractional interest in the property themselves. Secondly and more importantly, while all partners in a partnership need to be in accordance when replacing a property, TICs allow investors to easily cash-out of the investment or replace it without the need to consult other co-owners. Additionally, TICs further benefit investors by granting them the freedom to exchange their individual undivided interest at any time rather than having to wait for the disposal of the asset as is the case in partnerships. TICs also do not forcefully bind an owner to remain with any of his/her co-owners in the future.

Remember though that is not where the list of perks ends. TICs make it possible to compete with institutional capital and attain high-quality properties; so TIC owners not only attain access to better investment options, but they also have the option of diversifying their property types and geographical locations, thus reducing their risks. TICs also allow investors to benefit from professional third-party management which ensures a steady and reliable cash stream.

This third-party management plays a vital role in distinguishing TICs from other real estate investment arrangements. These third-party managers, known as Sponsors, take on all responsibilities of running the investment on a daily basis, hence freeing up time for owners. This concept thus runs opposite to partnerships where if you do give up the day-to-day responsibilities of the investment and become a general partner, you are forced to leave the daily running to one of your partners who may, or may not, be the right person for the job. TICs, on the other hand, ensure that the day-to-day running remains in the hands of professionals who know exactly what they are doing at all times. Additionally, since these Sponsors handle more than one property at any given time, they have considerable leverage with financial institutions. Therefore, they are able to attain very favorable lending terms for the investment.

TICs also allow an investor to benefit from various tax breaks. Moreover, these ingenious arrangements grant an investor the chance to diversify his overall investment portfolio of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, business investments, etc. So it is easy to conclude that TICs are here to stay. Whether you are for them or you are against them, you will not be able to deny that given the current economical situation in United States, TIC arrangements offer a safety net which remains unparallel in the market.

http://www.iraassets.com/j2009k/index.html

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Get Control of Your Spending Habits

By William Blake

Credit card companies are really good at luring people where they don't want to go. None of us sets a goal of being buried under a mountain of credit card bills. However, the credit card companies keep offering us those buy now pay later deals that seem to be too good to be true. We just can't say no. But that is exactly what we need to learn to do.

We need to shun the thinking that living paycheck to paycheck is a good budget plan. What happens in the case of an emergency? Are we forced to use credit? Our budget plan should include putting money away for the unexpected as well as regularly putting money into a savings account.

Since there are so many things that we cannot control we have to take control where possible. There is no way that we can anticipate certain medical expenses, home or car repairs, and other mishaps that we might face. But we can control our spending habits and make an effort to spend less and save more.

A good budget is the only way to start and it should be on paper. It can be difficult to begin to budget your money if you are not accustomed to doing so. But the rewards are well worth the effort. It is just going to require commitment and self control.

A budget is only as good as the people using it. Keep yourself accountable to someone your spouse, your friend, your parents. Have a person who will call you out if you are spending too much money.

Start your budget planning by trying to give up one spending habit that might save you a bit of money each month. ??" For example, eating out. Few people realize just how much they spend on food each week in addition to their grocery bill. Make a commitment to yourself to make that adjustment in your spending habits.

Making this adjustment will require some effort. It will mean adjustments in your time management as well so that you have time to prepare meals rather than go out to eat. So make a schedule for preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner and be determined to stick with it. Get other family members involved and help each other remember to take something out for dinner or prepare lunches for the day.

Don't run out armed with your credit card or checkbook each time anyone wants something. Ask if it is necessary to have that particular item. Search around the house first to see if you already have it. I seem to buy a new pack of crayons each time my kids have a project. At the end of the school year, I find at least five boxes of crayons lying around. I would only have invested in one if I had taken the time to look. Okay, crayons aren't that expensive, but it is the discipline that we are going for here.

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Take The Time To Learn About Debt Consolidation

By Bryon Scott Thomas

For those that aren't completely new to the credit or debt consolidation industry, you already know what debt consolidation means. For the rest of you, I'll explain. Simply speaking, debt consolidation involves a debtor combining all past due debt, into one account for easy payment.

Debt consolidation isn't just a convenience. Sometimes consolidating debt is the only way to keep track of all the creditors you owe money to. Now instead of paying smaller amounts to a dozen creditors, you pay one large amount to one creditor, who has consolidated your debt.

When considering debt consolidation, consider the new interest rate that you are taking on from the collection company. Sometimes it's not worth it to consolidate debt, because the interest rate you are taking on is simply too much to handle. Most of the time, though, credit or debt consolidators will offer a lower interest rate due to the collateral they collected just to take on your loan.

Debt consolidation definitely isn't supposed to be easy, but if it were, we'd all be debt free by now right? Try to avoid the temptation to hire an expensive debt consolidation company to fix your problems, most of this can be done at home, with a little diligence on your part.

Debt consolidation definitely has it's perks. The biggest perk to debt consolidation is the fact that your debt now belongs to just one creditor. From now on, you aren't going to call 10 different companies when you need to be late on a payment, all of this will be dealt with by one company. That one company is much easier to deal with than several.

In order to ensure that you get the lowest rates in your credit consolidation venture, you need to have the patience to inspect each company where you are eligible to get a consolidation.

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Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA

By Jack Jones

In 1997 the Roth IRA was developed in order to encourage people to plan for their own future rather than relying solely on the social security system.

There are many common traits between the regular IRA and the Roth IRA, and it is important to know the differences between them when deciding which to use.

One of the main differences that comes to mind is that the traditional IRA is tax deductible. You are allowed to deduct the amount contributed to the fund for that year from your income when filing taxes. But the Roth IRA is not allowed as a tax deduction.

A traditional IRA allows for a few penalty free withdrawals, but they have very strict rules and can only be taken advantage of in very specific circumstances. This is a bit frustrating because you can not access your earnings until you retire.

In a Roth IRA you are allowed to withdraw any funds contributed after a five year "seasoning" period.

For this very reason many have chosen to use the Roth IRA as their personal emergency fund. After five years you can use it for any unexpected emergencies that come up while simultaneously planning for your retirement.

When planning your retirement, make sure to consider all these things.

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An explanation of reverse mortgages

By Mijnadviseur

Seniors can deal with the financial uncertainty they experience by using a reverse mortgage. Retirement can be tough on the financial side, and a reverse mortgage gives them the breathing room they need to enjoy their retirement.

For many seniors, income is low compared to the days when they were working. Not only that, costs are rising. Especially living costs and medical costs. What many seniors do not realize, is that they can use their house to access extra funds to enjoy retirement. This is where the reverse mortgage comes in. A reverse mortgage enables a senior to use the equity that's built up in a house and turn it into cash.

The senior does not lose ownership of the house when they choose for a reverse mortgage. After the reverse mortgage goes in effect, the home still belongs to the senior and they have full right to the value appreciation in the future. The reverse mortgage can be paid off at any time, or not at all. When the last titleholder dies, the proceeds of the homesale pay off the reverse mortgage.

In order to qualify for a reverse mortgage, a senior must be at least 62 years old. There must be at least some equity in the home, in order to provide the collateral for the reverse mortgage. Current income is not important and neither is credit history. Sometimes, there is still a small mortgage left, or there is a lien on the home. Many times, these remaining debts are paid off by the proceeds from the reverse mortgage at closing.

The greatest thing about a reverse mortgage is the freedom of spending the homeowner gets. The money can be spent any way the homeowner wants. It is oftentimes used for leisure, home improvement, travel and enjoying the retirement period. The amount of money that can be freed up by a reverse mortgage depends on the age of the senior and the equity that's in the house. Because of the fact that monthly payments are not necessary, a reverse mortgage can be an ideal way for seniors to get extra financial room in these times.

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The Basic Facts of Prime Rate

By Anne Durrel

When looking at purchasing a large item you quite often need to find a loan from a lending establishment. That will be frightening to do especially as there seems to be a different language that banks use.

To be successful plus navigating your path to a loan you need to familiarize the most general words such as prime rate.

A prime rate is a phrase that is used as talking about the interest rate on the loan. Occasionally it is also mentioned as the prime lending rate.

The rate is determined by your credit rating plus your viability as a lending risk. If you are a better risk, customarily, your prime rate will be lower than if you are a higher risk for the bank to loan money to. The prime rate is also determined by the nation's economic state and what the prime rate had been set at previously.

In the past, the prime rate in America was set at hone interest rate level. However, as our economic climate has gotten more and more strained, there has begun to be a little variation between different banks. Typically, most banks do tend to make adjustments to the prime as the economy shifts, but those changes are often made simultaneously.

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Do Not Just Complain: Complain Effectively

By Ed Greene

Few people like to complain. And that's certainly understandable.

However, there are times when there is really no alternative.

If your automobile is a lemon, if your oven won't heat up, if a mechanic rips you off, or if there is a torn seam in your new $400 blazer, you can't just smile and pretend nothing is wrong. Unfortunately, complaints seldom get results.

There is no mystery about why. Few people understand the art...and it is an art...of complaining. Here's how it should be done.

1. If your sole motivation for complaining is to "blow off steam", call a talk radio station instead. If you have another goal...like getting fair treatment...that's the time to complain.

2. If the person to whom you complain does not offer you what you want, ask for it. Leave no doubt about what will satisfy you and why you think it is fair. Do you seek a partial refund, full refund, product exchange, or a discount on a future purchase? Be as specific as possible. But, give the person to whom you complain a chance to make you an offer before you ask for a remedy...you may get more than you expect.

3. Do not talk down to anyone and do not use insulting or profane language. Good manners and civility are far more likely to get you results.

4. Recognize that the first person with whom you speak may not be able to give you what you want. If that is the case, politely ask to speak with whomever has the authority to resolve your problem.

5. Do you hope to do more business with the company in question? Have you been satisfied with their efforts in the past? If so, make that clear.

6. Avoid ultimatums and attempts at intimidation.

7. Do not give up if the first person to whom you speak will not give you what you want. Go at least two more steps up the ladder before you give up.

8. Generally, it is counterproductive to threaten legal action or the intervention of a consumer protection agency. Try it if you think it may help, but only as a last resort, because it tends to be a conversation ender.

How likely are these eight suggestions to get you the results you seek? They have helped me get $1,000 back on a car purchase, an insurance settlement increase of $3,000, a free week of golf, complimentary meals, and more. Be assured that they can help you get similar results.

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