Guest post by Robin Williams who is a financial writer covers debt and other personal finance topics.

Credit cards may seem to be the best thing on earth as it helps you purchase anything anytime without the need of cash. However, if you do not handle your credit cards properly, they may become the cause of all your financial worries. Credit cards are known for their outrageously high interest rates and this is the reason why most Americans are drowning in an ocean of debt. If the consumers would have calculated the debt amount through credit card payment calculator, they would not have been trapped in the vicious cycle of credit card debt. There are some ways in which you can lower the interest rates on your credit cards and make your monthly payments affordable. Read on to know about them.

1. Shop around: There are various credit card companies that are waiting to offer you their cards and make business out of you. In the current financial condition, you need to stay aware of the ways in which you can save money keeping in mind the rise in the costs of goods. Thus, to avoid any kind of financial loss, make sure that you shop around and take credit card interest quotes from more than 4 companies. Check out the rates, whether or not they are in accordance with the present market indices. Choose the one that suits your wallet the best so that you do not default on the minimum monthly payments.

2. Check your credit score: Your credit score is the most important factor that is taken into consideration by the lenders before lending you a credit card. With high interest rates, the monthly payments on a credit card will also be huge. Since there may be cases of credit card defaults, the lenders check the credit score before lending credit cards. A good credit score implies good personal finance management and timely and regular monthly payments. On the other hand, poor credit score will make the lenders skeptical about your repayment ability and they may lend you a card but with higher interest rates making it more difficult for you to repay.

3. Negotiate with your creditors: In some cases, consumers may also find it easier to negotiate with their credit card lenders and make them agree to a lower rate. If you’ve been offered low interest rates by a different credit card company, you may tell this as an example so that the lender alters the rate to keep you dedicated to his company. This kind of negotiation may bring positive changes to the interest rates on your cards as lenders may agree to lower the rates for customer retention.

Therefore, if you’re looking for ways to lower the interest rates on your credit cards, you may simply follow the steps mentioned above. Being stuck in huge amount of credit card debts can be a costly mistake in the long run. Low rates will simply reduce your credit card debt burden. Determine your minimum monthly payments on all your cards through a credit card repayment calculator so that you do not miss out a single payment and incur late fees.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Latest Malaysia Base Lending Rate ( BLR ) 2010

Latest Base Lending Rate (BLR) reference, source from Bank Negara Malaysia.
Data Updated: March 9, 2010
Source Updated on March 2010
List Created: March 2009

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Popularity: 29% [?]

You want to buy a car so that you can commute to office and other places with ease. But purchasing a car needs high amount of money. So, like many, you too want to purchase a car by financing it through a car loan but are worried about high rate of interests. In that case, low interest car loan can solve your problems.

Check the list below for your references. Make calls to your favorite banks to get the latest rates they might have.

1. Loan date : February 2008
2. Which Bank ublic Bank
3. How many years of loan & Interest rate.: 7 year + 2.43%
4. Loan amount.: 50k

1. Loan date : July 2008
2. Which Bank :Maybank (MBB)
3. How many years of loan & Interest rate.: 2.86% – 7 years / 2.94% 9 years (Both Rates are Corporate rate)
4. Loan amount.: 45k

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Popularity: 17% [?]

In summary it’s very unlikely interest rate for Proton cars change (still higher than foreign car rates).

Extract from Business Times.

KUALA LUMPUR: The downward revision in the banks’ base lending and financing rates will have negligible effect on sales of Proton cars, said Proton Edar Dealers Association (PEDA).

Following Bank Negara’s latest rate revision, it was doubtful that any interest rate adjustment would be made to new Proton cars and on the bank facilities subscribed by Proton dealers, said its acting president Armin Baniaz Pahamin in a statement.

He said currently, the interest rate for Proton cars remained at 3.88% for hire purchase loan duration of seven years or less and 3.99% for hire purchase loan duration of eight and nine years.

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Popularity: 12% [?]

Malaysia’s credit card interest rates and penalty are among the lowest in Asia. 12 Feb 2009, ABM chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Hamidy Abdul Hafiz announced it will be gone down further. The purpose is to motivate credit card holders to DILIGENTLY make at least the monthly minimum payment of 5% of total outstanding balance promptly. It is believed that the reductions of interest rate should enable credit cardholders (who have outstanding balance) to make the minimum payment and thus get out of debt.

In my opinion this change may not help to reduce the country credit card debt. On the other hand this will relatively increase disposable cash on hand. How this cash will be spent?

Popularity: 7% [?]

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Popularity: 32% [?]