The holidays are typically filled with good will and joy for all, but often that comes at a price. The price tag for presents, a traditional holiday meal and festive parties may not come cheap for many, during a time that is hitting most Americans hard with the current economy. To this end, BillFloat, the nation’s only bill payment provider to give consumers more time to pay when they need it, offers the following tips on how consumers can maximize their resources this holiday season:
Don’t Pay the Minimum Balance! This is an oldie but goodie. Racking up credit card bills will only hurt you in the long run. The interest you pay may be more than the original charges. Pay as much as you can even if it is just a few dollars more than the minimum balance, as it will help you work to trim down that debt over time.
Invest in Water! A popular fable is about the person who put the amount they normally pay for their Starbucks Latte and invested it and they had thousands of dollars over the years. To take that one step further, cutting back on the sodas, alcohol and other beverages can equal even more savings. Water is free and it is better for you in the long run.
Never Pay Full Price! Tis the season for deals! The holiday season is filled with discounts, as retailers, restaurants and other merchants compete over every penny they can get. Look for coupons, discounts and sales, and only buy what is NEEDED vs. WANTED.
Do the Homework! When making a large purchase, taking out a short-term loan or determining how to use your money, find the best rate. Just because a big bank is offering a “convenient” loan, doesn’t mean that there aren’t credible online lenders that have better interest rates and lower fees.
Get Back to the Spirit of the Season! Instead of going lavish with shows, tons of presents and parties, invest in serving and giving time to others in need this holiday season. There are many great causes that may be local, and will make this time of year one of the most memorable by helping those in need.
Turn Up Your Sweater! Lowering the thermostat a few degrees can save hundreds of dollars a year. It is easy to put on another sweater or blanket and snuggle, while watching TV.
Look for Free Money! This November and December BillFloat is picking one person every day to pay a bill or unexpected expense up to $50! Tweet using the hashtag #PlsPayMyBill or directly tweet @BillFloat describing a recent bill, charge, unexpected fee, ticket or payment of any kind, and you could have that bill paid in full for free without having to pay it back. (Open to US only)
About BillFloat
To help consumers break the cycle of debt, BillFloat has an industry-first business model, which offers consumer-friendly financial products, and empowers customers to pay their bills on time and spend responsibly. With some of the lowest lending rates for short-term loans, BillFloat is creating a new category of services in the financial industry. For more information, please visit www.BillFloat.com.
Giveaway
BillFloat knows that money can be tight around the holidays so they want to spread some holiday cheer by giving one lucky reader a $50 Visa Gift Card!
Check out the list of all my current giveaways!
IMPORTANT: Please leave your entries above using the Rafflecopter form. Comments do not count as entries. If you are having issues with the form please leave me a comment here. It’s a new software and feedback is appreciated!
To do the daily tweet: If the form will not let you put in your daily tweet, please fill out the main entry again and put “Do Not Count” in the Extra Info, Name or Email box. Then it should let you complete the daily tweet.
*This guest post and giveaway is provided by BillFloat. I received a gift card as compensation for the post.*
About Stacie
I like how they give you 30 days to repay the money back.
They will pay up to $225 on your bill
You have to pay them back 30 days later. You are allowed to pay early, but if you pay them late you have a minimum of a $10 late fee.
You have to pay back within 30 days is what I learned
Repayment to them from your bank account happens automatically. You can even pay them back early from your BillFloat account.
I learned that you can pay them back up to 30 days later. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
I learned that BillFloat works with more than 2,500 billers of recurring services.
AT&T & DirecTV are two bills we pay that we could use billfloat for.
i found out that if your friends float a bill you get $10.00 – woohoo!
marygardner49 at aol dot com
Bill Float will pay your bills and you can pay them back later.
You have 30 days to pay them back
I learned you can get up to 30 days to pay back billfloat.
I learned that BillFloat charges 3% interst on a dollar loan amount.
pay back within 30 days
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
I learned that they will help you pay your bills but you have to pay them back within a month with a fee.
30 days to repay
they maintain your privacy. The data that you provide us with is only used to confirm your identity and to help you extend your bill.
I learned this company provides a service that is necessary when needed; they basicly provide a 30 day loan with low interest rates.
Thank you.
You have to pay back within 30 days
mightynaynay(at)cs.com
I learned that this company works with more than 2,500 providers of car financing, cable, insurance, telephone, utility, sanitation, satellite TV, self-storage, and homeowner association services. Thanks….
They have over 2,500 billers.
They pay your bills so you won’t be late and you pay them in 30 days.
I learned they pay your bills from 2,500 billers.
cmarquez482(at)ymail(dot)com
I learned that Bill Float takes their payment directly out of my checking account up to one month after they pay my bill.
Found out I can pay allot of my bills there.
I learned that they can extend time on bills for you, even everyday bills such as car insurance.
There are 2,500 billers, including T-Mobile.
I learned that you have to pay them back within 30 days.
$4.99-$14.99 bill payment processing fee + 3% interest
I learned that I can Pay my bills from over over 2,500 billers nationwide
That you have 3% interest rate on money borrowed. you can also, pay back early from billfloats account.
I learned that they charge 3% interest on dollar amounts.
missysweepsalot at gmail dot com
the interest rate is low
Their late fee is only $10 which is less than some of the companies I would have to pay a late fee for
Bill float has a 3% interest rate.
pandahugger(at)gmail(dot)com
I learned it is possible that BillFloat could save you money in late fees.
I learned that they charge 3% interest.
Bill Float will pay your bills and you can pay them back later
Pay your bills from over over 2,500 billers nationwide
I learned you can recommend Billfloat to your friends for rewards: Get $10 when any of your friends floats a bill.
I learned that a typical BillFloat borrower has a salary but is behind on some payments
They cover your bill and give you a 30 day grace period to pay them
I was amazed the site dealt with over 2,500 companies!
I learned that you can pay them back up to thirty days later!
$4.99-$14.99 bill payment processing fee + 3% interest
wallindeb@yahoo.com
i learned that it helps organize your bills in one spot and allows you 30 day to pay back
Thanks for the giveaway…appears to offer short term loans secured via your bank account.
senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
They charge: $4.99-$14.99 bill payment processing fee + 3% interest
Thanks for the contest.
I learned they will pay up to $225 on your bill
I learned that BillFloat was launched in 2009 by a team of experienced financial services professionals.