If my computer crashes, does an online backup service restore my iTunes music as well?
August 30th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
Q: If my computer crashes, does an online backup service restore my iTunes music as well?
A: If you have your computer set to back up your iTunes music, you will get your music library back when you restore your data. You just need to make sure you are backing up your music files when you set up the online backup configuration. Most online backup services have some sort of program that automatically selects critical data to backup, but you should always double check to ensure it's capturing everything you want saved.
We really like Carbonite and Mozy as online backup services, and they both support PCs and Macs. You can also look at all our online backup reviews to choose the one that's best for your situation.
How can I get the Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back card? I can't find it anywhere.
August 29th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
The following is an actual user question:
Q: How can I get the Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back card? I can't find it anywhere.
A: Easy, you can apply for the Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back card directly from our site. The reason you can't find it anywhere else you've looked is it's a special offer only extended to select Chase partners like NextAdvisor. It's a great card and our top choice for the Cash Back Card category, giving users $200 cash back after they spend $500 in the first 3 months. Chase Freedom Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back users also earn 5% cash back within certain bonus categories, and 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.
I'd like to sign up for a VOiP home service, but where I live wasn't on your list of towns. Does that mean I cannot get VOiP here?
August 25th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
Q: I'd like to sign up for a VOiP home service, but where I live wasn't on your list of towns. Does that mean I cannot get VOiP here?
A: If you live in the U.S. (regardless of which town), you should be able to use VOiP provided you have the following items:
- A high speed internet connection such as Cable or or DSL.
- A touch tone phone. Wireless or wired is OK, but rotary dial phones won't work. If you don't have a touch tone phone, you can pick up a low-cost phone at your drugstore or chain market.
- The VOiP phone adapter, which will be sent you you by the service you sign up for. Most services, including Vonage, VOIPo and PhonePower, will give you the adapter free of charge.
VOiP is a great way to save money on calls, so if you're on the fence you should seriously consider it. To learn more about VOiP and how it works, see our VOiP FAQ. Also, take a look at our home VOiP comparison chart to compare and contrast our reviewed services.
If I join Identity Guard for the advertised $14.99, how often may I get my current 3 credit bureau reports at no additional cost?
August 24th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
Q: If I join Identity Guard for the advertised $14.99, how often may I get my current 3 credit bureau reports at no additional cost?
A: When you join Identity Guard, you'll get all 3 of your credit reports and scores at sign up. Then you'll get all 3 updated credit scores every quarter as well as updates to your 3-bureau credit reports. The updates to your credit reports are a little different from a full credit report, in that they will only show you what has changed on your report in the last 3 months and are not complete credit reports. Although it's convenient to see just the changes, if the 3 scores and updates to your credit report aren't enough and you need a complete credit report to print out, you can purchase all 3 full credit reports (and 3 updated scores) for $14.99.
If you're interested in a service that provides more frequent updates to your credit reports and scores, consider PrivacyGuard. PrivacyGuard also delivers all 3 credit reports and scores at sign up along with 3-bureau credit report monitoring, but in addition you'll get updated full credit reports and scores every month. Although PrivacyGuard does not provide the same level of full-fledged identity theft protection that IdentityGuard does, at just $14.99 per month after their free 30-day trial it's a still great deal.
What is the credit limit for an Orchard Bank Mastercard?
August 23rd, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
Q: What is the credit limit for an Orchard Bank Mastercard?
A: The credit limit for an Orchard Bank Mastercard depends on whether you end up with a secured or unsecured credit card. When you apply for an Orchard Bank card, their unique process determines which one you qualify for.
With an Orchard Bank secured card, you are able to set your own credit limit. Secured credit cards require you to provide a cash deposit as the collateral for the account. The minimum deposit required is $200, with a maximum deposit of $15,000, and your credit limit will be equal to 100% of your deposit. So if you deposit $1,500, your credit limit will be $1,500. If you qualify for an unsecured credit card, your credit limit will be determined by your credit history and your ability to pay based on factors like your assets and income.
Overall, we really like the Orchard Bank Mastercard and highly recommend it, particularly if you have a limited credit history or credit issues. We also like the Household Bank Rewards Mastercard with it's 0% APR for the first 9 months and ability to earn rewards. To see all the best cards for poor credit, take a look at our poor credit card comparision.
We have a small company, two people located at different addresses. Can we get two internet fax numbers?
August 22nd, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
Q: We have a small company, two people located at different addresses. Can we get two internet fax numbers?
A: Most internet fax companies charge per fax number, so if you wanted to get two separate fax numbers you would need to buy two plans. However, if it's OK for both of your employees to share the same fax number, several internet fax plans allow multiple email addresses to be associated with a single account. This would mean that both of your employees would receive the same faxes, so if that's an issue you might just want to sign up for two plans.
Plans aren't that expensive, in fact our top rated MetroFax is just $6.63 per month for 500 combined send and receive faxes. You'll also be able to associate up to 10 email addresses with the account at no additional charge. To see other internet fax reviews, take a look at out our internet fax comparison page. To learn more about internet fax and how it works, check out our internet fax FAQ.
Does identity theft protection cover husband and wife for one monthly fee or is it each person?
August 18th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
Q: Does identity theft protection cover husband and wife for one monthly fee or is it each person?
A: It depends on which identity theft protection service you select. Most base their protection on a per-person basis, so they charge separately for each person. However, TrustedID offers a great family plan that covers everyone living at the same address, so both husband and wife would be covered.
TrustedID is an excellent value at just $20 per month for the family plan (with annual prepay), and provides it's members with a broad range of identity theft protection features. TrustedID IDEssentials monitors the Internet black market for any suspicious activity involving your personal information such as your credit cards, bank accounts and Social Security number. Trusted ID also monitors the Internet and public records for any changes to or misuse of your Social Security number, name or address. Other features include medical record protection, free anti-spyware software and a host of other features. In addition, IDEssentials provides 3-bureau credit monitoring and all 3 credit reports and scores when you sign up.
Overall, we think TrustedID IDEssentials is a great deal, and right now they are offering a free 14-day trial and 15% discount if you sign up for one of their annual plans. And if after your sign up you don't feel the service is a good fit for you, you can cancel during the trial period free of charge and still keep you free credit reports and scores.
When using VOiP to make and receive calls, does my computer need to be logged on to the internet all the time?
August 17th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
Q: When using VOiP to make and receive calls, does my computer need to be logged on to the internet all the time? If not, does my computer need to be on if the system is plugged into my router?
A: You do not need to use your computer in any way when you have a VOiP phone system. That means your computer does not need to be turned on or logged into the internet. The only things you need to enjoy VOiP are a broadband internet connection (DSL or cable) and a touchtone phone. All the VOiP systems we review provide you with any other necessary equipment.
VOiP works just like your current phone service; to make a call you pick up the phone and dial the number, and when someone calls you the phone rings and you pick up the phone and answer it. It sounds and feels the same to both your and other people. The only difference is the less expensive price.
VOiP is a great choice because the cost savings are generally much greater than a standard phone line, especially if you make long distance or international calls. This is because VOiP uses your internet connection for calls instead of phone lines. Our top contenders for home VOiP service from a service and value perspective include Vonage and VOIPo, but we also review many other home VOiP services.
Can you explain why my credit score increased and then decreased suddenly?
August 15th, 2011 - Posted by Tasha
Q: Can you explain why my credit score increased and then decreased suddenly? I just checked my score today about an hour ago and it was 667 and then I checked again and it had dropped 10 points in a matter of an hour.
A: Because your credit score is based on your credit report and your credit report can be updated at any time, your credit score can also change at any time. Credit reports contain information on you and your credit history. This information is mainly provided by creditors, lenders, employers, insurers, and other institutions with which you may have a financial relationship. Public record information may also show up on your credit report. Credit score providers take the information on your credit report and using a (top secret) algorithm turn that information into a number—your credit score.
Because the credit information on your credit report is reported by a variety of sources throughout the month, it is constantly in flux. This means that your credit score can change from one hour to the next. For example, credit score algorithms usually take into account the proportion of balances to your total credit limits on some types of revolving accounts (ie, credit cards). So if you have 3 credit cards with a $12,000 total credit line and you've racked up $6,000 in charges, you have used 50% of your total credit. Now let's say you just charged another $2,000 to one of your cards; with a total of $8,000 in charges you have now used 67% of your total credit limit. When this increase is reported and shows up on your credit report, it can negatively affect your credit score. Conversely, if you pay the original $6,000 balance in full this can positively affect your score.
The example above is only one of many, many things that can affect your credit score. Also keep in mind that you actually have 3 credit scores, one from each of the 3 credit bureaus; Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. And when you're applying to a lending institution for a loan or a mortgage they might check one or all of your scores. That's why it pays to keep a close eye on both your credit reports and scores. The easiest and most economical way to do this is by subscribing to a good credit monitoring service. Some of the ones we highly recommend are Identity Guard TOTAL PROTECTION® and PrivacyGuard.
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