Bank of America PetRewards Visa

0% Intro APR for first six billing cycles.
No Annual Fee
Put your pet's picture on your card
Earn points toward veterinary services, pet food discount certificates, and shelter donations

As rewarding as your relationship with you pet. Apply for PetRewards™ Visa® today!

Reward Program Details

• Points per Dollar in net purchases: 2 Points for each dollar at participating veterinary clinics, pet food retailers, farm and feed stores, and neighborhood pet specialty stores and 1 Point for each dollar using your PetRewards Card on everyday purchases.
  
• Bonus Points: 500 upon first purchase
  
• Program Rewards: Earn points toward veterinary services, pet food discount certificates, and shelter donations.
  
• Yearly Limit on points you can earn: 100,000 points
  
  

Put your pet's picture on your card or choose from one of three adorable designs

• 1 point for every dollar you spend on everyday purchases
  
• 500 bonus points with your first purchase
  
• Rewards begin at just 750 points
  
• No annual fee
  
• 0% fixed introductory annual percentage rate (APR) on purchases and balance transfers (not cash advances) for the first 6 billing cycles.
  
• After your fixed introductory rate expires, you will receive a variable APR on purchases and balance transfers, currently Prime + 2.99%, 5.99%, 7.99% or 9.99%. Please note that you will lose your introductory rate if you exceed your credit limit or are late with a payment.
  
• All payments you make will be applied to the lowest APR balances first
  
• No balance transfer fees for introductory transfers
  
  

DID YOU KNOW?

	Short-term loans are a convenient way to get cash in a hurry and non-traditional lending institutions have become a source of payday loans. The payday loan service is also a fast, easy solution to emergency situations when an unexpected payment may arise (a medical or auto repair bill). It is a great option if you have a bill that is due prior to receipt of your paycheck, if you don’t mind paying a few extra dollars to avoid the late and overage fees caused by making late payments, and if you want to avoid the credit consequences. To receive a payday loan, present a paycheck (as proof of employment and regular income) and general personal information. An “advance” on your paycheck is allowed for up to 30 days (an average loan is approximately $300), and incurs some fees, as well as an 18% interest rate. The payday loan business has exploded in the last few years, and businesses are set on profiting from this growing industry. The problem is many see applying for payday loans as being no different than borrowing from a loan shark. The payday loan industry creates several issues for many, in that it is seen as a scam by many. One problem is that loans are not used on a one-time basis as originally intended. Extensions are typically offered, for the price of the “one time fee” each time you renew the loan. However, if you continue to pay the fee several times, you could end up repaying double. Another unsavory practice is that payday loans often incur outrageous interest rates. California banks, for instance, actually charge a lower interest rate and do not have the high default rate on loans claimed by payday lenders. Therefore, even with bad credit, a bank loan may still offer a better deal than a payday loan. Also, the repayment rate is proof that the “high risk” cited as the reason for the high interest is non-existent. Be careful of any agreement that requires the use of a post-dated check – it is entirely possible that the payday lender will deposit the check prior to the agreed upon date, causing the check to bounce and leading to a whole new set of problems.

Almost everyone wants or needs more money coming in (especially now!), and with this desire most would like to start some sort of extra income-producing project. It’s a big step to give up the trudge to the “day-job” and not all of you can afford to jack it all in and start your home-based business idea.

The only alternative is to start your home business whilst keeping your current job. The trouble is, not many people can fit “a second job” into their time schedules.

It’s true that most people are busy, but extra time for some sort of home-based extra income-producing project can almost always be found. It may mean giving up or changing a few of your favourite pastimes - such as having a couple of beers with the guys or watching TV - but if you score big with your extra income project, you will have all the time you want for doing whatever you want to do.

The first thing to do is to sit down with pencil and paper and list your daily schedule. What time do you wake up? Then step-by-step, list everything you do each day. Most people will find that they have about three hours each day that can be utilized in a more constructive or efficient manner. As we’ve noted above, you may have to give up the time you waste in your local pub or a few television programs you watch, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Efficient time management boils down to planning what you’re going to do, and then doing it without backtracking. Start by making a list of the things you want to do tomorrow, each evening before you go to bed. Schedule your trips to the store or wherever to coincide with the other things you have to do, and with your trips to or from work. Organize your trips to take care of as many things as possible while you’re out of the house. Take stock of the time you spend standing around shooting the breeze - especially the time you spend on the telephone - and eliminate all that isn’t necessary.

Whatever chores you have to do at home, set aside a specific time to do them, and a specific amount of time to devote to them. For instance, just one hour a day devoted to yard work would probably make your property the envy of all your neighbours. Don’t try to do a week’s work in one big flurry. Whether it’s painting your house, fixing leaky pipes, or mowing your lawn and trimming your shrubs, do a part of it, or one particular job each day, and you’ll be amazed at your progress.

Take care of all your mail the day you receive it. Don’t let those bills and letters pile up on you. If you’re unable to pay a bill immediately, file it in a special place that’s visible, and note on the envelope the date you intend to pay it. Answer your letters the same day you get them.

The important thing is to think of time as your most valuable asset, because it is. So organize! Decide what you have to do, and what you want to do. From there, it’s just a matter of arranging priorities.

Once you start listing and planning what you want to do, and then carry out your plans, you’ll find plenty of “extra time” for handling virtually any kind of home-based income-producing project. People in general may not like routines or schedules, but without some sort of plan as to what is supposed to be done, the world would be mired in mass confusion

Laws, ordinances and regulations are for the purpose of guiding people. We live according to an accepted plan or way of life, and the better we can organize ourselves, the more productive and happy we become.

The secret of all financially successful people is simply that they are organized and do not waste time. Think about it. Review your own activities, and then see if you can’t find a couple of extra hours in each day for more constructive accomplishments.

When you begin planning, and then when you really become involved in an extra in come-producing endeavour, you should work it exactly as you have organized your regular day-to-day activities - on a time-efficient basis. Do what has to be done immediately. Don’t try to get done in an hour something that’s realistically going to take a week. Plan out on paper what you have to do - what you want to do - and when you are going to do it. Then get right on each project without procrastination.

Finally, and above all else, when you’re organizing your time and your business, be sure to set aside some time for relaxation. Be sure to schedule time when you and your spouse can be together. You must not involve yourself in anything to an extent that you exclude other people - particularly your loved ones - from your life.

Taking stock of the time you waste each day, and from there, reorganizing your activities is what it’s all about. It’s a matter of becoming more efficient in the use of your time. It’s really easy to do, and you will not only accomplish a lot more, you will also find greater fulfilment in your life.

Here’s to a successful new home-based business in 2006

Best Regards

~~ Dawn Robertshaw~~