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Do you know about - Weightloss Journey 2012- Update!!

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Do you know about - Tracfone Add Minutes

Tracfone Add Minutes helps you can add minutes to your Tracfone prepaid cell phone conveniently from your phone.

How is Tracfone Add Minutes

Tracfone Secret Codes are used when you get ready to add minutes to your Tracfone. These are all five digit numbers. You will be able to activate Tracfone by adding the secret bonus codes and extend your activation time on your phone.

Tracfone Retailers who sell these Tracfone cards usually are located locally and nationally. Stores such as Walmart, Safeway, 7-Eleven, Best Buy and Circuit City prominently display these card generators in their stores. The cards have a scratch off PIN number with 15 digits. With the Tracfone prepaid cell phone, you don't need to sign a contract or have your credit checked. It is one of the easiest ways to own a cell phone these days if you don't want to get stuck with a contract.
You are able to use your Tracfone Secret Codes using three different options:

o You can call the Tracfone Company using their 800 number. You can get this on their website. When you call, you would have to make sure that you have the same PIN number or secret bonus code that came with your prepaid phone and you will get help from customer service to let you know if your code works well.

o Tracfone Add minutes can be done directly from your phone. Most of the newer digital Tracfones have a menu option to add minutes directly from the phone. To use the bonus codes you add the 5 digit number right after the 15 digit Pin.

o The Tracfone Website contains information that will help you to "add minutes." Then after you type in your 15 digit Tracfone PIN number, there is another specific place to put in your 5 digit Bonus Code.

It is easy to find Tracfone Secret Codes because at the time of your Tracfone purchase, you should have received a small booklet with your very own secret code that you get as a bonus. When you have used those up, Tracfone bonus codes are offered at my website for more convenience and also at your local Walmart.

At the moment, if you sign up for your Tracfone prepaid cellphone, you will be able to get free Tracfone minutes as well as when you get ready to add more minutes to your phone. I have personally experienced that this program works.

Do you know about - The Future of Online Shopping

Online sales will continue to rise. Every webpage designed to sell a product or market a service should understand the future of online shopping.

How is The Future of Online Shopping

There are several major variables that make online sales attractive to the worldwide market. These variables include:
1) Value of Products/Services offered
2) Dependability and Reputation of the Seller
3) Ease and Security of payment
4) Ease and Security of shipping.

Younger and wealthier shoppers are driving a wave of online sales. Many of these people - having some web familiarity and disposable income - have learned to shop online for price comparisons and other comparative data. If shoppers find a superior situation, especially regarding the above 4 crucial variables they will usually become online buyers.

Online buyers establish shopping habits. They abandon bricks and mortar stores and malls as value, dependability, security and convenience of online buying improves.

Although the online buyer cannot return an item as quickly in some situations as the buyer who can walk in and out of a Wal-Mart or Sears when the parking lot isn't crowded or there is no line at the returns
desk, there are many other reasons to buy online.

Sellers of low-mass products - small books, DVDs, lightweight clothing have a marked edge in sales because shipping is relatively low in cost. The seller of these items doesn't need to pay the overhead of a store, staff, parking lot, utilities, etc. They pay only storage and shipping which is becoming increasingly automated.

Although people are rightfully afraid of bankcard fraud, I believe all card services will continue to improve security and improve buyer dispute processes.

Fraudulent emails sent to credit card holders (and all business accounts for that matter) will continue to be a big problem. As both merchants and shoppers become aware of these fraudulent practices it will be more difficult to exploit people with business accounts at PayPal or Amazon.

There is a probability, partly because of the price of fuel, that delivery services will consolidate to some extent in the future so that you will receive one or two regular deliveries per day of all goods you have purchased - including groceries - along with mail and newspaper, etc.

Each person may also have a receiving station service in the future whereby the shopper picks up everything from one large, secured lockbox. If a delivery is very large or has accumulated over days, a key would be left with directions to a nearby, larger overflow box. Security, insurance, and energy costs would all be cut by these changes.

Grocers have experimented with many forms of advertising, delivery, billing and credit. All of these ideas are improved with online transactions. Shopping from several grocery chains will be easier when you get free delivery and easy to find price comparisons. You will even be able to subscribe to discount announcements of various products.

Online education - especially college level offerings - has been slow to respond to the potential sale of services by internet. Online degrees will become more common, less expensive, and more legitimized with standardized and secured testing procedures of students. The knowledge areas in the cognitive domain can be done completely by internet. Educational offerings in the behavioral and affective domains will be greatly augmented by online offerings and testing as well.

Larger purchases will also be more prevalent on the internet, especially for mass produced items like automobiles. You can test-drive several models locally, then cruise websites regionally for price, color, accessories, delivery costs, taxes or other charges. This is already being done, but with advances in registration and licensing as well as online financing and insurance - you may spend 25 minutes on a website and be legally driving your new car in the time it takes to meet the delivery-person curbside.

Internet download of tickets and coupons is becoming widespread, and this will continue. Insurance policies and other documents can be downloaded as well.

Internet social life is here - even simplifying the dating and matching processes. This computerized internet socializing saves time and money. While it may lack some of the intangibles, it also allows a more fully objectified set of tangibles, as well as leaving time for the intangibles that happen after screening.

The internet will also become easier to use: fewer viruses, popups, host and server problems. This adds up to faster, easier, safer and less expensive shopping.

Do you know about - Weight loss/100+pound mission

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Do you know about - Supersize vs Superskinny | Fear of Food | Channel 4

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Do you know about - Credit Card Processing Fees Are Just One Loophole in the CARD Act

In the midst of an economic crisis which affected millions of consumers and businesses nationwide, a new law was enacted to help protect consumers from deceptive practices commonly used by credit card issuers. While many of the practices deemed unfair to consumers were in fact legal, the fact that most consumers were unaware of how certain terms and conditions impacted their personal finances resulted in plenty of indebtedness. The CARD Act (Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act) changed the way card issuers do business. Some changes are still on the horizon such as credit card processing or application fees which exceed 25% of your initial credit limit. Here are a few loopholes that remain that do not have an amendment date such as the one affecting processing fees.

How is Credit Card Processing Fees Are Just One Loophole in the CARD Act

College Students Are Still Vulnerable

The CARD Act includes a section which prohibits credit issuers from targeting college students, specifically on campus. This practice was common prior the Act being signed into law. Although students (anyone under 21) must provide evidence of sufficient income or have a person co-sign on the account in order to be eligible for a credit card. Credit card issuers can still target these individuals with relative ease in college towns by offering applications off campus grounds.

Interest Rate Issues

There are several areas of the CARD Act which are intended to prevent card holders from getting hit with exceedingly high interest rates, however there remain ways for credit card issuers to get around these limitations. There is nothing in the CARD Act that actually caps the amount of interest that can be applied to unpaid balances. This means those with poor credit are still likely to suffer high interest rate accounts, some up to 49.9%. Other factors affecting interest rates are late payments and language. Some card holders are under the false impression that credit card companies can no longer raise your interest rate, however any card with a variable rate (most cards today have variable rates) can increase without notice if the contract terms include language stated the same. Also, miss your credit card payment for 60 days or more, your rate can be raised as a result. The 45-day notice on rate hikes is also misleading in that a new higher rate can be charged to purchases 14 days after a notice has been mailed. You do not have to make a payment at the higher rate until 45 days after the notice, however it may have already been applied to purchases made in the 14 day window.

There are some areas of the CARD Act that definitely improved how credit card issuers do business with their members. Although there are loopholes in many areas of the ACT, positive strides have been made to ensure card holders are more informed and less likely to fall victim to predatory practices. In fact, with the new requirements, more consumers are paying attention to their credit card accounts and how they can take steps to manage their credit better. Credit statements are now much easier to read with specific disclosures such as how long it will take to pay off a balance making only the minimum payment versus the amount required to pay off the balance in three years. These changes are improving the way in which consumers manage accounts and subsequently debt levels.

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Do you know about - EMOTIONAL WEIGHTLOSS JOURNEY

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Do you know about - Retail Credit Cards and Department Store Credit Cards

Many retail stores want to offer you a line of credit. But before you sign up to get 10% off your purchase and a free umbrella, you need to understand the effect that such cards can have on your credit--both good and bad.

How is Retail Credit Cards and Department Store Credit Cards

"If you apply for a fill in name of store here credit card today, you will receive a 15% discount on your purchase."

Oooh. What diehard shopper wouldn't be tempted?

Lately it seems that every consumer purchase is prefaced with an offer to apply for a credit card. Not Visas or MasterCards, but cards issued with a retail store's name on them for exclusive use at that store. J.C. Penney was one of the first retail stores to issue credit cards back in 1958. Since then, retail companies have recognized the profit to be made by operating their own credit card operations, as well as the instant punch in the arm to their marketing efforts. You've heard the spiel from the Gap, Kohl's, J.C. Penney, Dillard's, Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Meijer's, Banana Republic, Sak's, Nordstrom's, even Bloomingdales, and the list goes on and on.

The marketing hook? Discounts for the store's merchandise along with other perks.

As with most things there are pros and cons for consumers:

Pros

Cons

Detweiler says to be very selective when applying for retail cards: "Limit yourself to one or two cards applied for during a six to twelve month period. Any more is considered a risk factor on your credit report."

It's a Balancing Act

So now that you know the pros and cons, how do you figure out if a retail store card is worth its weight? As always, you need to do a little math.

Find out what the APR rate is and add in any fees or minimum purchases required by the card. Then compare that with your potential store savings to make sure everything balances out. Are you going to have to spend more money than you normally would in order to earn the perks and discounts?

As an example: a typical card might have an APR of 19.80%, no annual fee and no minimum purchase requirements. The perks include 10% off your first in-store purchase and 10% off your first on-line purchase. You also get free shipping on all on-line purchases over 0. For every dollar that you spend in the store you earn one point; when you earn 350 points, you automatically receive a reward card.

That's a nice set of incentives. That's also a lot of debt that you're putting on a credit card in the name of discounted merchandise.

If this is a store that you frequently shop and you plan to pay off your credit card balance each month, you can enjoy these perks in the clear. However, if you carry a balance on your card, don't even bother--because a 19.80% APR on 0 trumps a reward card every time.

Performing math is a lot to ask when you're at the checkout counter with an armload of new purchases. But never sign on for a card without reviewing the fine print and finding out what you are signing up for. It might take away some of the fun of a shopping splurge, but in the long run you'll be happier because you are safeguarding your credit and the benefits of having good credit - the ability to purchase a new home, for example. These things will bring you smiles down the road -more so than will 10% off that hip outfit from the Gap--which won't be so hip in a few months anyway.

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Do you know about - Credit Card Approval for Young Adults

Getting credit cards for young people isn't as easy as it was before. And for good reason. With college students graduating with an average of 00 of debt, it shows a problem that must be addressed. What that statistic shows is that young people aren't so savvy when it comes to handling personal finances. It doesn't also help that credit card issuers used to target college students and young people with abandon. This is why there are provisions in the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act (or the CARD Act) where those under age 21 would not be granted a cards unless they have a co-signee or are able to show their capability to pay off their financial obligations. Through this law, young people are better protected from carrying debt at such an early point in their lives.

How is Credit Card Approval for Young Adults

The new regulation may make it harder to get a card, but it also makes it safer for young people to own a credit card. Before anyone under 21 can be approved for a card, he or she should show some form of income or asset that can offset possible debt. Having a part-time job, a trust fund, or any other form of income would be sufficient to show that you can pay off what you owe. And if you don't have those, other options would be to get a co-signee who would pay the debt if you default, or have you sign up as an authorized user under your parent's credit card. Young people may have a few more hoops to go through, but it's all for the best.

One challenge that kids may encounter in applying for a card is that some issuers don't like having co-signees. This is because with a co-signee, the legal responsibility is split between the cardholder and the co-signee. Companies prefer the authorized user setup since it would be easier to go after the parents should the kids' debt swell up.

Another challenge is that some credit card accounts don't report authorized users to credit rating organizations. This means even if your kid has a card under his or her name, no credit history will be built. That takes away one of the biggest advantages of having a credit card early, and that is to create a good, solid credit history to make it easier to apply for loans and financial aid in the future.

With those in mind, you should make sure that your co-signee has a good credit rating to appease the minds of issuers. Also, before signing up as an authorized user, make sure that it gets reported to credit reporting agencies. Once you have those set, you place yourself in a better position in reaping the advantages of owning a credit card early. The system may make it harder to get a card for young people, but it also makes it easier to keep kids on the right track when it comes to credit card management

Do you know about - Making a Change - Weight Loss

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Do you know about - Rockstar Health & Fitness - Episode 1 ft. Patrick Stump

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Do you know about - Fast Weight Loss workout exercises to lose 5 lbs. a week

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Do you know about - Obtain Your Absolutely Free Credit Report, No Trial!

You have an abundance of alternatives when looking for an absolutely free credit report, no trial. Within the United States, Americans have the ability to receive one absolutely free credit report, no trial from each of the three major reporting companies, yearly. Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian all provide you one free credit report on a yearly basis. The only requirement from you is that you contact any one of them and request your absolutely free credit report, no trial.

How is Obtain Your Absolutely Free Credit Report, No Trial!

You will be required to provide them with proof of identification and current address. This is a necessary step to prove that you are the person shown on the credit report. After you have requested the absolutely free credit report, no trial, you will find your credit report sitting in your mailbox in as little as two weeks. If you are not willing to write these companies to request your free credit report, you can contact them by telephone as well. Depending upon the company you are going with, you may be able to find your credit rating right over the phone. However, you will still need to provide them with some identifying information.

Receiving an absolutely free credit report, no trial, is suitable for most people. There is really no reason you need to have constant review of your credit report. It does not generally change overnight, unless you have many different credit issues to deal with. The internet provides you with a multitude of methods in obtaining a free credit report; however, this will not be an absolutely free credit report, no trial. You will be required to provide credit card information and have to go through a 30-day free trial. There is no reason to risk your money or information online, when you can get a yearly, absolutely free credit report, no trial.

Do you know about - List of Major Credit Card Companies

There are many different credit cards companies in existence today. Hundreds of credit cards are offered every day to potential new customers from all the different companies. They are marketed through various banks and other financial institutions, not only in U.S but worldwide.

How is List of Major Credit Card Companies

One of the best known major credit cards is VISA which is known all over the world. Visas have grown into a largest and most widely used payment brand in the world. Visa allows banks and other financial institution to issue Visa Cards in its name and it's more than 50 years of existence.

The in charge of processing all the visa credit cards transaction all over the world is done by Visa International and company owned by more than 21, 000 member financial institutions. They are one of the world's largest payments processing system. There is more than one billion visa branded cards with cardholders in more than 150 countries which comes to trillion in transaction every year.

One of the best is the MasterCard also which is accepted all over the world. Also do transactions and are processed through MasterCard's huge electronic processing network to make it easier and faster before to make a payment no matter which part of the world. Most of the leading companies are connected with the banks such as CITI bank, American Banks, etc.

American Express Credit Cards are also one of the best worldwide and this was founded in 1850 which began as express delivery company years ago and now it has added a wide range of cards to its list of offerings. The first charge cards for more than fifty years are the American Express as pioneered.

One affiliated with Visa or MasterCard brand is Amex. Amex is one of only two issuers and evolved into financial services company offering different types of financial products such as money order and travelers check.

Lately is the Discover Card which is issued by Discover Financial Services which was founded in the year 1986. This Discover card is not affiliated with Visa and MasterCard but has its own U.S payment network. It makes it marks as a leading innovation in the line of credit card industry and has customer loyalty among leading brands in year 2007. Discover Card is one of the leaders in cash back credit cards where in it offers up to 5% cash back on a certain purchases. What an amazing kind of card.

As you all know, these cards are used almost in all day to day transaction from buying daily needs such as milk, coffee, food, etc. Seems credit is a form of cash money to everyone who has it.

One should bear in mind that credit card is for emergency purposes where the priority which you have to use on this is your needs not your wants in life.

In applying for a major credit card without prior experience to credit history may obtain one far more difficult process since credit history is needed to measure your capability to pay and allows the issuing company to provide you with a credit limit where in they can give you the payment plan that can suit your lifestyle and personality.

So one must think and plan first before obtaining a major credit card and which company suits your needs best.

Do you know about - NetSpend Prepaid Debit Card Vs Rushcard

Yes, I would agree, there is really no such thing as a prepaid debit card with no fees, but there are quite a few prepaid debit cards that come close. Many of these cards are very easy to obtain but some do have plenty of fees associated with there use normally requiring direct deposit and minimum balance to eliminate most or all fees. Here are some of your best options in my opinion:

How is NetSpend Prepaid Debit Card Vs Rushcard

The Walmart Money Card can be obtained at any participating Walmart or you can apply online. With just a .00 monthly fee and very low transaction fees it rates highly as a card that is easy to load at any participating Walmart especially if you live close to Walmart. Reload fees can be waived when you cash an eligible payroll or government check or you can also load your card with a Green Dot MoneyPak. Walmart has been providing discount merchandise to many consumers for years and having a Walmart Money Card could make your shopping experience there that much easier.

Rushcard by Russell Simmons hits you with a .95 activation fee right of the bat. If this isn't enough to make you leery of prepaid debit cards I don't know what is. Some of the other fees that may be charged to your card are a monthly fee, card fee, plan change fee and express cash fee. I certainly wouldn't be happy with all these fees and don't feel like you the consumer should have to pick your poison. There are cards that are free to sign up for, have reasonable or no fees and offer cash back, bonuses and rewards.

NetSpend is the leading provider of prepaid debit cards in the USA and can be found in over 10,000 stores and check cashing centers in the U.S. The prepaid debit MasterCard that I have is free to sign up for, has no monthly fees unless you choose that plan. Credit transactions are .00, pin transactions are .00 and NetSpend cardholder to cardholder transfers are absolutely free. NetSpend even offers a referral bonus to new cardholders as a way to reimburse you for some of those fees. NetSpend is the best prepaid debit card in my opinion but do choose your own card wisely.

Most prepaid debit cards do not require a credit check or report any information regarding your card use or fee payment history to the credit bureau so good or bad credit is not an issue. So if you are looking to rebuild your credit a prepaid debit card normally will not do that for you. If you need a fast and convenient way to access your cash funds without bank overdraft fees then choose the card that is right for you.

Do you know about - Personal Banking

Personal banking is similar to retail banking. The essence is that the products and services of the bank are tailored to meet individual banking and ancillary needs, including everything from a checking account to investment advice. The different products available through personal banking include checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, check cards with rewards, different types of loans, and personal lines of credit, credit cards, personal trust and private banking services, mortgage programs, investment management, discount brokerage, insurance services and advisory services. Insurance, investment advice, and wealth management are high end products offered in personal banking.

How is Personal Banking

The most prominent feature in personal banking today is technology- enabled, customized products and services like anywhere banking, ATMs, and the delivery of services through channels like a telephone and the Internet. The idea is that the customer need not come to the branch for their services and that everything should be delivered to the customer at his convenience. The bank will provide single window service, meaning that customers can visit one counter for any banking need.

Personal banking is quickly catching up in almost all the countries in the world and is expected to contribute significantly to the bank's total revenue. Almost 15-20% of the customers contribute up to 90% of the banks business, so proper service to these customers will deepen the financial relationships.

Everyone with a personal bank account needs to be very cautious and pay close attention to all aspects of their account. People should promptly review their bank statement, avoid having to pay unnecessary fees and bank charges, avoid leaving discarded bank documents behind, avoid banking online in public places, and periodically change their password.

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Do you know about - How To Win Your Credit Bureau Disputes

Everyone is probably aware that the big three nationwide credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) maintain credit reports on you and everyone else. That means they are responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date data on hundreds of millions of people. Think about that for a minute - if each person had just ten credit references sources reporting about them (and some will have many more than that), these institutions are responsible for maintaining records easily numbering into the BILLIONS of data records.

How is How To Win Your Credit Bureau Disputes

As far as credit information about you, some of them have more, some have less, and this is because any particular lender or credit reference probably only reports to one of them, maybe two of them. Very few lenders outside of lenders for big-ticket items such as a home mortgage will report to all three of them. But it is for this very reason that you need to get a copy of your credit report from each of the credit bureaus on a regular basis (multiple times annually), because the data on the report from each one will probably vary significantly.

The reason for outlining the information above is to allow you to see the logical conclusion that we are coming to. Since the credit bureaus maintain such a tremendous volume of data, errors are inevitable. Errors are almost guaranteed. And study after study has shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that while it is unfortunate, a MAJORITY of consumers have at least one error or inaccuracy on their credit report. But the fact that makes this even worse is that these errors do not get corrected or fixed automatically. Rather, the erroneous data is carried forward in your credit report, month after month and year after year.

This begs the question of how and when does this wrong information get corrected. The answer is that it does not get corrected, not unless YOU initiate the dispute with the credit bureau and insist that it get corrected. Although most consumers don't realize this, the ball is totally and squarely in YOUR court to take action to get the information corrected that they maintain about YOU.

Let's take a very typical example. You get copies of your credit report from all three agencies and note that two of them are reporting a 90 day 0 past due balance with Sears. What? You paid off your Sears account on time and you know for a fact that it has a zero balance. You call Sears customer service and they verify that you have a zero balance. So what do you do? You file a dispute with the two credit bureaus that have reported this inaccurate information. The credit bureaus are then required by law to verify the REAL scoop about your Sears account and have the correct data shown. But again, this does not happen unless YOU initiate the dispute. There are no automatic mechanisms that will get this corrected for you over time.

In another example, let's say that you see an account on your credit report for a Visa card that has a huge balance. Huh? You only have two Mastercard accounts, no Visa account, and you have no idea where this came from. You could find yourself as being the victim of one of the fastest growing crimes in the world today, which is Identity Theft. Find out more about Identity Theft, what it is and what you must do if you are a victim at Identity Theft Information.

There are many such errors, and it is up to YOU to file the dispute and get the information corrected. There is a wide variety of information you can get changed, all of which will raise your credit score because of how lenders perceive your value to them, which is all derived from information in your credit report. Raising your credit score is probably the single-most important thing you can do for your finances.

My web site contains information about when and how this happens, but most importantly, what you can do about it. You are strongly encouraged to take the time today to start getting that inaccurate information corrected before it causes you a lot of grief.

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Do you know about - Home Improvement Contractors - What Homeowners Should Know

With home improvement fraud and scams on the rise in the United States, homeowners must take the necessary precautions to avoid becoming victims of "fly by night contractors." For those who still own their properties after seeing the rise in foreclosures across this Nation, it is incumbent on you the homeowner to do the following before you go in search of a Home Improvement Contractor.

How is Home Improvement Contractors - What Homeowners Should Know

Home Improvement Contractors (HIC) in most jurisdictions in the United States is regulated by City, State or County Agencies. For example, in New York City, Nassau and Suffolk County in New York, the Department Of Consumer Affairs regulates the operations of Home Improvement Contractors and Home Improvement Salesmen (HIS). These are representatives or sales people who negotiate contracts on behalf of Home Improvement Contractors (HIC).

There are basically three (3) stages of the home improvement process, namely: The Negotiation Stage; The Contract Stage and The Work In Progress and Completion Stage. In the Negotiation Stage, a homeowner should perform a "due diligence" on prospective Home Improvement Contractors and Home Improvement Salesmen, hereinafter referred to as HIC and HIS respectively. This is where you research and check to see if the HIC is a bona fide and legitimate operator. You start by calling the Agency that regulates HIC and HIS in your area. Ask HIC and HIS for proof of licenses, workmen compensation, general liability insurance, performance bonds, and references.

You should also check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with respect to the reputation of such businesses. Check to see any history of complaints and how they were expedited. Make sure that the HIC/HIS has a physical business address, business telephone, fax, email address, website, etc. Beware of "fly by night contractors" that operate out of their trucks, vans, SUV. It is very important also for you the homeowners to get at least 3-5 free written estimates from HIC and HIS. Some HIC/HIS may charge a reasonable fee depending on the size of the job estimate. For example, those estimates that involves blue prints specifications, plans, zoning, etc. However, you should try and negotiate a free written estimate that expressly state in black and white prices, brand names, colors, designs, start date, completion date, etc. Keep in mind that "word of mouth" is the best recommendation. Get references from HIC/HIS and invest the time to check the jobs and speak to the homeowners directly. Ask questions!

In the Contract Stage, before you sign or execute a contract, make sure that you obtain copies of HIC/HIS licenses, workmen compensation, general liability insurance, performance bond (applicable for large projects), and inquire whether the HIC participates in a Home Improvement Trust Fund. This is a trust fund that the Agency requires HIC to pay into so as to protect homeowners from HIC who takes off before a job is completed. You are required also to make sure that all brand names, styles, colors, any oral promises (some high powered HIC/HIS will promise you the moon to get your signature), along with manufacturer's and labor warranties to be expressly written in your contract. Most importantly, make sure that the HIC/HIS expressly put in writing a start date and completion date, along with giving you your right to cancel (recession rights).

Most contract laws allow you three (3) business days from the date of a contract to withdraw or cancel the contract without any penalty or obligations. So if you gave a deposit to the HIC/HIS, you are entitled to a full refund within a reasonable period of time not to exceed 10 days. Check with your jurisdiction to make sure of this right. With respect to deposits, some HIC/HIS may require a deposit upon the execution of a contract. Be very careful of HIC and HIS who ask for large deposits up front. Beware of HIC and HIS who wants cash or have checks written out to his or her name. Make checks payable to the Business name only. It is advisable to pay using a credit card. If the HIC is a legitimate operator, it is very likely that they accept credit card as a Merchant. However, the Rule is: Do not give a deposit more than what you can afford to lose. In other words, give a very, very small deposit. A bona fide, reputable and legitimate HIC will not ask for a deposit up front. Such HIC has credit accounts with Home Depot, Lowe's, and other suppliers who will not rely on your money/deposit to buy materials.

If you are not financing the work through the HIC or a third party lender, it is recommended that you pay progress payments to the HIC. Progress payments are incremental payments. In other words, you pay as the work progresses. For example, if you are getting a roof job done, you may want to give a percentage down (one third of contract price) only on delivery of materials and start of work. Then you give another one third payment when the roof is completed and the final one third when the construction debris is removed from your property. It is advisable to hold back at least 10 per cent of the total contract price for at least 90 days to ensure that the work was done properly. For those homeowners who wish to finance their projects through the HIC or a third party lender, make sure that you do not sign any blank bank papers. You should also ask the HIC/HIS whether the amount you finance will cause a lien or second mortgage to be placed on your property. Make sure that the bank does a visual inspection of the work before you sign a completion certificate allowing the bank to pay the HIC.

Finally, the Work in Progress and Completion Stage; this is the most crucial stage of the work. The HIC is ready to walk away from your project, but you want to make sure that the work was done in accordance with municipal building codes and all of your manufacturer's warranties, warranty on labor, etc., are given to you in writing. This is where you will be asked by the HIC or HIS to release final payment. If you finance the work, the HIC/HIS will ask you to sign a completion certificate which they will take to the bank to get a release of the funds at your permission. Some banks will do a visual inspection to make sure that the work was done. However, it is very crucial that you make sure that the Municipal Building Inspectors give a green light for your project. In other words, they must sign off on the job stating that all work was done professionally and in accordance with municipal building codes. Some jobs may require a certificate of occupancy (CO).

Make sure that you have this CO in your hands before you release final payments to a HIC/HIS. Last but not least, if the HIC hires Sub Contractors such as an electrician or plumber to do work on your property, make sure that they are paid by the HIC. Failure to pay them may result in the Sub Contractors filing a mechanic's lien against your property. This is legal. While the work is in progress, make sure that the workers are on time on the site. A normal work day for construction workers are from 8:00 am to 6:00 PM. Some industrious workers will work until it gets dark. Beware of workers that show up for a few minutes and take off. There are many HIC who start 20 jobs and cannot finish one. Some HIC take from "Peter to pay Paul" and stall your job in the process. This is why it is crucial that you get a start date and completion date in writing.

If the HIC fail to complete the job within that time, you the homeowner may legally hold back money or charge the HIC for each day that elapsed. If your work is an exterior job that involves ladders, scaffold, etc., make sure that they are erected properly and reasonable standard of care is exercised by the workers. In other words, if a scaffold or ladder fall and injure a neighbor or passerby, they may have a civil claim or lawsuit against you the homeowner. This is why you must ensure that the HIC has proper insurance such as general liability insurance before they start work on your project. If you the homeowner permit the HIC to advertise their companies by erecting a sign on your property, you may request a discount on your contract for such favor.

I hope that this post will help you to select the right Home Improvement Contractor for your project, and most of all, you will not become a victim to the criminals out there who masquerade as Home Improvement Contractors.