Marie, you can't tell me you aren't talented enough to start from scratch, if you can embellish a store bought card! I can make them with rubber stamps, but not embellish store bought! You don't have to be talented to make them from scratch! It could be as simple as white card stock cut in half then folded in half, with one rubber stamp and colored ink out side, a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays stamp on the inside and sign your name! Is there somewher you can take a beginning rubber stamp class? Tami

TT a couple of answers and questions... First, A debit card is not a debt obligation no matter the name stamped on the front so no it does not assist your credit score nor cause a negative effect. Secondly, it's not a major carrier card that is an issue, it's something called "revolving debt" (all credit cards qualify equally as revolving debt). It does not need to be a card with a VISA on it, sears is equally the same in the world of credit, it's revolving debt. So what they're looking at is how you use your revolving debt and how you pay it. You want your total revolving debt to not be a huge number, and you never want to be extended past 50% of your allowable limits (so if you have ten grand in revolving debt available you want to average under 5). So if you have some and it's not over extended and you've paid on time you're ok there. I don't expect you to tell me what the bumps are so I want to give you a few examples of "ok bumps" to see if it helps and a couple of not ok bumps so you can get the lay of the land there as well. So ok bumps are a couple of late pays (30 day maybe 60 but preferably 30 day late). Another would be over limit during that time, but paid down now. Collection accounts that are explainable but are paid now. And not many of those (like two would be tops). OK so it's a business loan...first, I'm having some email problems (someone got my password and has been screwing up my account) so don't email me any answers to these questions or anything (just in case...I don't want anyone's personal info mussed up). So I'm going to ask hypothetical questions as if you were at my desk but I 'm not expecting answers...I just want to make you think before you go in for the loan. OK first pull up your credit info (both of yours) and see what your scores are. If they're in the 700 you're ok...if they're in the 300's you are going to have a great deal of trouble with the business loan. Or as Rickie would say...you got some splain'in to do. How's your equity situation in the house? Would this loan fit in an under 80% scenario (loan to appraised or tax assessed value). A business loan with personal collateral is easier to get than a straight loan especially if you don't borrow much. Please tell me you report all ofyour business income and keep decent financials! I can't tell you how many loans i turned down that probably could have been approved if they actually reported their real earnings. What you say you get verses what you report...well that's between you and the IRS....as a banker I only care about what you report. What's your collateral? If there are assets (aside from personal) that helps, but don't expect a huge LTV on them. Receivables can be taken on a line of credit or loan via UCC if they're formally tracked and under 30 days (unless you do business for a major company who pays slower and you can prove that). What are your receivables? I mean be able to explain who owes you money, who pays you, who's your client, so the banker can make a judgement about your ability to continue working. All business loans are judged to be paid back from cash flow. Does your business cash flow support the repayment on this loan or are you counting on future cash flow from business that will be happening because of this loan. That's an issue...banks own on past history, not so much future history unless it's under contract. Is there a future contract? Bring it with you because it's support for the loan. If you're buying assets, know that the bank wants you in the game too. Many times businesses come in and ask for 100% financing for whatever and the bank's position is that if you're (the business owner) not willing to take a risk on you, why should they? Do you have five years of good financials? Three? IF there are solid profits, consistant earnings, it's easier. If you have huge ups and downs, be sure to be able to explain them. The bank will average the three years or five to determine what your cash flow is really like. And last but not least...know what you do for a living and who your competition is. You'd be amazed how many people used to come and and say "I"m gonna be a XXX" and I'd ask why they were going to be so much better of an XXX than the other 40 XXX's in town. Sell your business to the bank...why is your X so hot? Is it the oldest X, the best client service? What and what keeps you in business in this economy? I hope that helps some? The type of credit you're applying for makes a difference as well. A line of credit is harder to get than a term loan. Collateral counts, and what's the biggest thing....who the heck are you dealing with at the bank? Don't go in and ask a freaking teller for a business loan app. Wait and speak with a business banker (make an appt) don't deal with the 24 year old hottie in new york too hot for her job...oh wait another subject, but actually the same, skip the brainless front desk and ask for a business banker! I approved more loans that had been turned down by branch staff than you can imagine in my career, just because they didn't know what to ask, so when the package when it, they didn't know how to sell it to credit.

This is why I am afraid of getting Windows 7. I use my creatacard every day for keeping track of appointments and making all my cards. Going to check out the computer forum!

Most of our bills are paid on line, but if the company to which the payment is being made does not have electronic transfer--think a doctor's office or small, local business--my bank actually writes a check and mails it. If the address had changed, the check might not get there on time or be returned to the bank, delaying my payment. I've tried to program myself to check the address to which the payment is being sent for that very reason. The way I know if the business, doctor, etc. doesn't have electronic transfer is by the number of days it takes to get processed. Most things are paid the next business day; however, some payments take four days. That tells me the bank had to write a check and mail it. Either way, I save on postage and writing my own checks.