The kids are out of school, they’re bored and complaining there’s nothing to do, and you’re broke. Now what?

Many parents don’t realize just how active their kids are until they have to keep them occupied during summer vacation. With that final school bell comes the juggling of schedules and managing your finances to provide entertainment for your children. Although the cost of trips to the movie theater, arcades, swimming and other daily activities are manageable for most families, it’s the big stuff that can really put a dent in the family finances. What if your child shows an interest in attending sports, academic or arts camps? The costs for these types of camps can add up quickly, particularly if your child has more than one area of interest.

In fact, 26% of parents say they will spend more on summer activities than they do during the school year, according to the American Express Spending and Saving Tracker. That averages out to about $600 per child for summer activities. So a family with three children could expect to see a sizeable chunk bitten out of their budget – if all three children are heavily involved, a quick $1,800 is spent, just on activities. That doesn’t even include supplies and any additional fees.

Another issue parents face each year is not only where to take the family vacation, but how to pay for it. Despite the sagging economy, more than half of Americans plan to go on vacation this year. For the average family of four, the cost will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $4,000, according to American Express. For many, that number can jump as high as $6,400.

So what’s a parent to do?

If you don’t have time to shop around and you want to borrow money for your family’s summer expenses as quickly and simply as possible, then America One Unsecured is for you. America One Unsecured has been providing clear loan solutions for consumers and small business owners since 1999, and is one of the largest loan consultants in the United States.

America One Unsecured offers cash advance loans up to $1,500, and personal loans of $10,000 or more. Getting started is easy, collateral is not requested, and there are minimal documentation requirements. In most cases, there are no annual fees, and there are no pre-payment penalties. Personal loan services are offered in all 50 states, and feature state of the art privacy and security, as well as experienced and expert guidance. Terms are from six to 84 months, or a revolving line of credit, and rates start at 7.93%.

So call America One Unsecured today. And get the family all packed for summer adventure.

Personal loans can actually improve your credit score

The conventional wisdom says that to improve your credit score, you have to chip away at all your debt, one account at a time, until everything is paid off. In many cases, that’s sound and solid advice. However, there are some scenarios in which taking out loans—personal loans—improves credit scores, saves thousands of dollars and allows consumers to reach their goals much faster.

Several factors influence credit scores:

• Debt to income ratio

• Credit utilization

• Credit diversity

• Prompt debt payments

Personal loans improve credit scores because they often have lower interest rates than store credit cards and many bank issued credit card accounts, so it makes sense to consolidate credit card debt with personal loans. The lower the interest rates, the faster the principle is paid off, and the faster the borrower is debt free. Though income levels may be static, more quickly paying off debts with personal loans improves credit scores by improving the debt to income ratio.

Credit utilization is the amount of available credit in use. Taking out personal loans improves credit scores when they are used to pay off other debts, thereby increasing the amount of available credit as the loan is paid off IF the credit card accounts are left open but not used.

Personal loans are an asset for younger borrowers trying to improve credit scores. Many young adults have either no credit or they have only high-interest credit cards. Adding personal loans to their credit reports improves their credit scores by introducing another—or a first—type of credit.

Finally, making debt payments is essential. Lower interest rates and fixed interest rates results in lower monthly payments. Personal loans improve credit scores because the lower monthly payments allow for more flexibility in household budgets, reducing the likelihood of making late payments because of unexpected expenses or a lower income.

Despite a tradition of accuracy and wisdom, conventional wisdom isn’t always wise and should be evaluated carefully according to each unique financial scenario. That’s when it makes sense to consult with an expert. America One Unsecured is one of the largest loan-consulting firms in the country. They have helped their clients secure hundreds of millions of dollars in personal and small business loans since 1999.

Personal loans: Time for a little spring cleaning

Long, gray winters with record-setting cold and snowfalls make springtime more than ever a season of renewal. Like kids, we’re looking forward to summer vacation. We’re ready to start fresh with the time-honored tradition of spring cleaning. But, if the gray clouds of winter still seem to be hanging over your financial landscape, personal loans for debt consolidation can provide a sort of spring cleaning, and get you headed out on that much deserved summer vacation.

The many advantages of personal loans over credit card debts mean you get relief a lot faster.
Lower interest rates mean lower monthly payments and more of your payment goes toward the principal.
Lower monthly payments mean you have more money to put toward other debts.
Fixed interest rates mean no sudden rate hikes that make it impossible to pay off your debts.
Paying off your credit cards lowers your credit utilization rate and increases your credit score; your higher credit score means you’ll qualify for more favorable rates and terms.

Personal loans have many other advantages besides all the money you’ll save by consolidating your debt. For instance, unsecured personal loans don’t require collateral, so you don’t have to own a house, have a clear title on your car, or have investments to put up as security. Moreover, personal loans offer a flexibility not found in any other type of loan; you decide how you want to use the money. Unlike an auto loan or a mortgage, borrowers can use their personal loans any way they.

So, if you’re still hunkering down with your head beneath the covers, consider using personal loans for a little financial spring cleaning. Before you know it, you’ll be planning a vacation instead of just dreaming of one.

America One Unsecured is one of the largest loan-consulting firms in the country. They have helped their clients secure hundreds of millions of dollars in personal and small business loans since 1999. Click here to learn more about America One Unsecured and find out how they can help you find the money you need and get the best terms and interest rates.

How to find the right lender for you needs

It’s easy enough to say a lender is someone who lends, but it’s not always that simple. Not every lender provides the same loans. One lender might make only business loans, while another lender makes only consumer loans. It’s not much of a challenge to find a lender who makes loans only to people who have stellar credit, but finding a lender who makes loans to someone who’s “credit score challenged” can be a different matter altogether.

So, how to you find the lender who’s right for you? There are three ways to narrow the field.

• You could call around to local financial institutions, asking what type of lender they are, and what their terms and rates might be for someone with your needs and credit history.
• You could ask friends or other business owners for recommendations. Ask where they’ve gotten loans in the past, and if the lender was someone they would use again.

• You could go through a loan-consulting firm that will analyze your needs and credit history and either present your application to a lender that specializes in loans like yours, or will advise you on what type of lender to use and how to maximize your chances of getting a loan with satisfactory rates and terms.

It hasn’t always been so, but today almost anybody can find a lender will to make a loan. Even someone with a low credit score can find a lender, if the borrower is willing and able to pay more for the loan.

There is no shortage of short-term lenders, cash advance storefronts, payday loan providers and pawnshops. It’s not hard to find a lender online with minimal requirements for income and credit, and most are able wire the loan to the borrower with a bank account within 24 hours—many can do so within an hour.

The one caveat that should be heeded when accepting loans of this type is to make payments on time; failing to do so can result in high penalties and higher interest rates. Though much has been written and said about how payday lenders take advantage of borrowers with limited options, the truth is that a short-term lender is often the only lender and the only option available. In addition, for a borrower who repays the loan on time, the option can be a lifesaver.

Personal line of credit or personal loan?

Everyone needs credit sooner or later, but different situations require different loan products, each with a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. Aside from auto loans or mortgages, most personal loans are classified as a personal line of credit or a personal loan. So which is which, and when is each most advantageous?

• A personal line of credit is ideal for ongoing projects such as home renovations or wedding planning, because the borrower makes payments only on the amount of the credit used. For instance, a June bride may purchase her gown in October, buy stationery in February, and pay deposits to the caterer and reception venue in March, and so on. If the bride takes out a personal loan instead of a personal line of credit, she’d be making payments on the full amount regardless of what portion of the loan she’s used.

• A personal line of credit makes an idea safety net. When an emergency strikes, a personal line of credit is at the ready to meet financial needs. Unlike personal loans that require application and approval processes with each need, a personal line of credit can be tapped into as needed without further application.

• A personal line of credit is generally available for any amount from $10,000 to $250,000—depending, of course, on the applicant’s credit history and income.

• A personal line of credit usually has a variable rate of interest that is lower than that of personal loans.

• Some personal loans carry a penalty for per-payment. There is never a prepayment penalty with a personal line of credit, because there is no timeline for paying off the credit. Any unused or paid off portion of the personal line of credit is immediately available to be used again, and until it is, the borrower can enjoy lower monthly payments.

Let a loan-consulting firm help you determine which loan products are best for your needs, and help you acquire them. America One Unsecured has been helping people achieve their dreams and attain financial security since 1999, and they can help you too. Click here to learn more and get started.