Tag Archives: savings

As Auto Loans Go Up, Late Payments Down

As lenders are taking a second chance on credit-challenged consumers, lenders are being rewarded with the lowest level of late payments in over a decade.

60-days and higher late payments on auto loans in the first quarter of 2012 were at .36 percent, a 22 percent drop from the last quarter of 2011. It is also the lowest rate recorded since 1999 when TransUnion started following auto loan late payments.

Analysts have been noticing a drop in auto loan delinquencies since February this year, and it is encouraging that there has been a continued drop in delinquencies even as lenders are taking a chance on consumers with less-than-perfect credit. This is exactly why Approved Loan Store exists. We know that millions of Americans have survived tough circumstances in the last few years, but if they get the opportunity, they can make their payments on time and rebuild their credit with an auto loan. All they need is the chance to prove it.

No matter what your credit situation, Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into a car! Fill out our secure online car loan application here, and keep up with the latest news and trends from the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter!

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Car Loan Lengths Increase in First Quarter

As car purchases are going up, car buyers are taking their time paying off their car loans.

According to Experian’s car loans division, the average length of a new car loan was 64 months in the first quarter of 2012, and 73 to 84-month-long auto loans have gone up 15.4 percent. On average, car loans ran about $25,995 which was $589 more than last year, and the average monthly payment was $461.

Analysts attribute these longer auto loan term lengths to an increase in auto loans for consumers with challenged credit. They want to take lower monthly payments to ensure that they will be able to afford their payments and won’t further damage their credit with a late payment. As this study makes the rounds in the news, I predict that the industry will see even more consumers with challenged credit applying for auto loans because they know that so many other consumers have been able to negotiate longer loan term lengths.

At Approved Loan Store, we want to get you into the car you want with loan terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest news and trends from the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter!

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Road Trips, Minus the iPad

Earlier this week, we told you how rising airline ticket prices were pushing families to reconsider road trips for their summer vacations. Well, apparently we aren’t the only ones who see the road trip making a come-back.

Yesterday, the Boston Globe published a story on phone and iPad apps that will keep kids entertained on long road trips. In addition to the obvious choices like Angry Birds and YouTube, staff writer Hiawatha Bray suggested games and apps that encourage creativity. He highlighted the iMovie app for the iPad 2 and the fun-but-educational Back In Time.

At the risk of sounding old-fashioned, I hope that families don’t spend their road trips completely engrossed in their iPads. I’m not against kids keeping themselves entertained during the long, boring stretches of a road trip, but road trips are full of wonderfully unique experiences that families don’t have during a flight. I view this shift from flights to drives as a potentially positive development for families taking their summer vacation, and I sincerely hope that they take advantage of it. You can get the whole family involved with road trip games courtesy of Disney Family Fun, About.com, and MomsMinivan.com.

Is your car road-ready for your family’s summer vacation? Even if you have challenged credit, you can get into a new car today with Approved Loan Store! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Buy a Car, Help the Economy!

Car shoppers looking to get a new set of wheels are doing more than upgrading their ride. They are improving the economy.

American auto makers have been posting record sales for their first quarter, and according to a report from Ward’s Automotive Group, auto purchases are exceeding a 14 million annual rate for every month so far this year. These numbers are translating into American auto makers reopening production plants, keeping their plants open during times of the year when they would be typically closed and keeping more Americans employed.

Car sales are often a good indication of how healthy the overall economy is. A decrease in car sales is an early indicator of trouble ahead since it shows that people don’t feel comfortable spending the money on a car. Let’s use an example of a consumer, John Smith. John Smith has an older car that has the occasional problem, but he doesn’t necessarily want to spend the money on a new car. Why wouldn’t he want a new car? Maybe he works a commission-based job and sales are slow, or his workplace is going through cutbacks.

Let’s say that John’s car breaks down, and it isn’t an easy fix. He has to get a new car, and in the meantime, he takes the bus to work. The bus runs late a couple of times, and John gets fired for tardiness. Now, John feels even less comfortable spending money on a car, but at the same time, he is still relying on public transportation to get to job interviews. John will be limited to jobs located close to public transportation and might miss out on higher paying opportunities because the daily commute is too difficult.

By not having access to a reliable car, John’s financial problems snowballed very quickly. On the other hand, studies have show that having access to a reliable car can lead to less dependence on public assistance and upward mobility in the work force. When all of these data and studies are added up, the conclusion is that Americans have yet another incentive to spring for a new car: They are improving the economy!

Are you looking for a new or used car? Are you worried that your credit isn’t good enough? Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest trends in the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image: supakitmod / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Average Price of New Cars On the Rise

Earlier this week, we showed why buying a used car is smarter than buying new. The value of a new car will depreciate very quickly only a few years after buying it, so the owner will get a better return on a used car vs. a new car if they eventually have to trade it in. As it turns out, Forbes is talking about the new vs. used car debate as well. A few days after we published our blog, Forbes published an article about the rising average price of a new car.

According to Forbes, the average cost of a new car or light truck is $30,303. The average cost has gone up $1200 from 2011, making a new car an even pricier investment with less potential return. To be fair, the cost of used cars has gone up slightly as well, but in most cases, buying a good used car is still the best choice in the long run.

The good news for car shoppers is that Approved Loan Store has access to a wide inventory of used cars with vehicles to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re buying your first car or looking for something to accommodate a growing family, Approved Loan Store’s Special Finance Representatives will help you get into a car. Challenged credit is not a problem. Fill out Approved Loan Store’s secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest news and trends in the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image: jannoon028 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Top Names in Auto Reviews, All in One Place

After years of searching Edmunds, Consumer Reports, and MSN Autos for the best cars on the market, consumers can now get the most relevant vehicle reviews all in one place.

TotalCarScore.com is being dubbed the Rotten Tomatoes of car sites, and the similarities are striking. When searching for a car on Total Car Score, readers will get the TCS review plus an average score based on reviews from some of the top review sites. Unlike Rotten Tomatoes, though, TCS users can customize the sources that TCS is using to calculate the score, so if they didn’t agree with MSN Autos’ review, they can view the average score without MSN Autos.

After browsing the site, I think that car shoppers are really going to love the features that TotalCarScore offers. Aside from reviews, there are links to the manufacturer, online forums for owners, the owner manuals, and comparison tests. We love it because Approved Loan Store has access to a wide inventory of cars, and no matter what make or model, we can find it. Once our Approved Loan Store customers have set up an appointment with their Special Finance Representative, they can go to TotalCarScore.com and figure out which makes and models could be right for them. That way, they can come into their appointment prepared, and they can get into a great car quicker!

Are you ready for Approved Loan Store to get you approved? Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Survey: Car Ownership Leads to Less Public Assistance, Welfare

A recent survey of low-income Americans showed that car ownership can be the difference between a continued struggle or getting off of public assistance altogether.

The survey was conducted from 2007 to 2010 and included 445 loan recipients who were on public assistance. Of those recipients, a shocking 82 percent got off of welfare, accounting for $18.2 million in savings. Even more shocking, the program cost less than half of what was saved in public assistance money.

For millions of Americans, a car is essential to work. Public transit is not always available, or if it is available, it has been scaled back with bus or train lines closing or running on a limited schedule. When a family goes through a financial crisis and does not have access to a car, getting back to a normal life is an uphill battle. This study shows that if more people with no credit or damaged credit can get into a car, everyone benefits. The car buyers can rebuild their credit and open themselves up to more job opportunities, and less people will need to rely on public assistance.

Approved Loan Store is here to help. Good credit or bad credit, we want to help you get into a new or used vehicle. Fill out our auto loan application here, and like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to keep up to date on the latest auto loan news.

Image: creativedoxfoto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Men or Women: Who are the Better Car Shoppers?

Cars and cars culture have long been considered a man’s world. Whether or not that is a sexist viewpoint is up for debate, but the stereotype of a car nut is a rough-and-tumble man. A recent study, however, is shaking up the notion of gender and car knowledge.

According to the study, more than two-thirds of women paid to get a third-party inspection on an out-of-state lease transfer compared to only 54.5 percent of men. Women buyers were also more likely to ask the right questions about the car including safety performance, the ownership and incident history, and how the car will function under specific conditions. Their male counterparts were much more interested in the aesthetics of the car, its engine performance, the vehicle’s technology, and its driving performance as a whole.

What is really interesting about the study, though, is the implications for future women car shoppers. When the study was broken down based on age, there were significantly more women ages 21 to 30 getting a third-party inspection than men. 42.3 percent of men, less than half, got a third-party inspection while 78.2 percent of women opted to get the inspection. This means that young women are being smarter, being more careful, and overall being more practical than men their own age.

No matter what your age, gender, or credit, Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into a great new or used vehicle. Fill out our car loan application here, and like us on Facebook to see testimonials by real Approved Loan Store customers. Also, make sure to follow us on Twitter to get the latest news and updates from Approved Loan Store.

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Avoiding Student Loans: Good Financial Sense or Common Financial Pitfall?

In tough economic times, people are less willing to take on debt, even if it means a long-term gain. Case in point, student loans. The Associated Press published a story recently about a movement amongst students starting college to avoid taking out student loans. They will live at home, borrow their textbooks from the library, and take on several jobs to pay off their tuition right away.

At first glance, it sort of makes sense. Many recent graduates are having trouble finding jobs paying well enough to pay off their student loans. If a student wants to put in the time and work to pay off their tuition now and avoid debt later, then why shouldn’t they do it? Isn’t it the most responsible path available?

Well, it is actually not as simple as that. First off, Deborah Santiago of Excelencia in Education says that students who take out loans are more likely to complete their degree and argues that, “If you can go to a more selective institution that gives you more resources and support, you’re more likely to compete.” Depending on the student, it is usually a better idea to take out a loan and go to a first-rate school than get a second or third-rate education without taking out a loan.

Besides that, if a student wants to set themselves up for a strong financial future, they will want to establish a good credit history. With a student loan, they can spend more time studying and getting better grades, and they won’t have to take on as much extra outside work hours. Instead, they can focus on making their loan payments on time which will make them desirable to lenders if they want to get a car or house in the future. A lot of employers also look at job applicants’ credit reports, and they might look on them more favorably after seeing that positive payment history.

If you are exploring your options in student loans, click on Student Loans under the Approved Loans tab above, and keep an eye on our blog and Facebook page for the latest developments in student, car, home, and personal loans (and more!).

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Approved Loan Store Provides Financial Tools, Competitive Deals to Consumers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Approved Loan Store Provides Financial Tools, Competitive Deals to Consumers

New York, NY – October 28, 2011 – For people looking to purchase their first home, buy a new car, or get approved for a loan, the process can be daunting. Most consumers don’t know where to start looking to get the best deal, and with poor or challenged credit, finding a bank or dealership is even tougher.

There are online resources available, but oftentimes consumers spend more time weeding through the junk than finding good deals. With their combination of social media savvy and good old-fashioned networking, Approved Loan Store hopes to change how people shop for a loan. Approved Loan Store is a network of banks, car dealerships, mortgage bankers, and other lenders who want to give consumers, particularly ones with poor credit, the best available interest rates.

Additionally, Approved Loan Store is a resource for financial education. Approved Loan Store founder Todd Campanella recently spoke about his intent in starting ApprovedLoanStore.com, stating, “I created ApprovedLoanStore.com to offer consumers the best financial resources to accommodate their needs.”

To that end, sections of the website are dedicated to credit cards, credit repair, and other topics that consumers face on a daily basis. Consumers with challenged credit can also seek help through the website with advice on improving credit health and referrals to credit repair services. There are also calculators that consumers can use to find out if they can afford a house or how much they are spending in interest on their credit card. Approved Loan Store is also utilizing newer technologies and social media like Twitter and Facebook to bring people more financial advice and news daily.

There is a perception that tools like Approved Loan Store are for people with poor credit, and consumers with good credit won’t have to shop around for a good deal. In reality, a consumer with very good credit have the most potential for getting a great interest rate and benefit the most from shopping around. Anyone can search for a better deal using Approved Loan Store whether they have a stellar credit history or they have survived a rockier financial history.

Contact:
Rachel Godfrey
New York, NY
Phone: 877-217-2217

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