Short Term Loans CAN Help You Out of a Jam

Whether you’ve fallen behind on credit card bills, want to fund a trip, or simply need some extra cash to tide you over until your next pay, there’s nothing like having a financial “lifeline” to assist you. While some might have an emergency stash they can tap into, many need to look outside for a little financial support. It is quite common in this instance to apply for a loan.

Though it is true that a loan is considered a debt, when used correctly it can prove beneficial. Here’s a look two major benefits in applying for a short term personal loan:

  • Loans can be good debt – As long as you’re not in default on the loan, it is actually good debt to have. As the loan amount and frequency of pay will be displayed on your credit history, this shows creditors that you can be trusted with a considerable amount of money.
  • They get you out of a jam – Short term loans are great for getting you out of a financial jam. Because the stipulations are not as strict as a traditional bank loan, you can typically receive approval along with the funds deposited into your account within 1-2 business days.

Choosing the Best Lender

Now in order to capitalize on these benefits of taking out a short term personal loan, you must first choose the best lender. There are a ton of companies out there to choose from, so it can get a bit tricky. Keep these tips in mind as you search for the right lender:

  1. Legitimacy – Unfortunately, there are a lot of scams out there and fake sites in which thieves are simply trying to collect your personal information for their own use. Therefore, the first thing you want to do is determine whether or not the lender is legit.  Some ways to do this would include:
  • Search the Better Business Bureau – The Better Business Bureau allows you to search for companies across the US. Simply type in the name, URL, or information you have on the lender to determine if they’re legit.
  • Check social media – Another avenue for determining if a company is legit would be to check social media outlets. For example, if you were interested in a company like MaxLend loans, you can find MaxLend Information on LinkedIn. Review their contact information to see if it is a legitimate address and phone number.
  1. Reputation – Once you’ve determined that a company is legit, the next thing would be to determine whether or not they’re a good company to receive a loan from. Consumer reviews will be your best bet when determining the reputation of a company. While you could always check out review sites, you can also look to social media, such as the Twitter account of lenders like Max Lend Loans, to see what real people have to say about the business.

Being a Responsible Borrower

The final component to reaping the above mentioned benefits of obtaining a short term loan is to be a responsible borrower. It is quite common for individuals to simply click agree to get the cash, but in order to keep this debt from becoming negative or a burden on you financially you’ll need to do the following:

  • Read the contract entirely. In order to understand the amount of interest, number of payments, and other stipulations, you must read the contract entirely.
  • Only take out what you can afford. You might be tempted to take out the maximum amount allowed but if you can’t afford to pay it back in the time you agreed to, it is best to take out a smaller loan.
  • Pay timely. It is important to pay as you agreed so that you don’t accrue late fees and higher interest rates.
  • Communicate when trouble arises. If you cannot stick to your arrangement, be sure to communicate this to the loan company instead of ignoring them and the payments. If you’re in a serious bind, you may want to look into getting help with your bad credit so that you can start to clean up your credit history.

Short term loans sometimes get a bad rap, but the truth is they can be a great help. If you’re in a jam, be sure that you keep all the above factors in mind. Search for a reputable service provider and be a responsible borrower. In doing so, you create a lasting relationship with a lender – just in case you need their services in the future.

 

Personal Loans Are Making a Comeback

Following years of strict lending, several lenders and banks around the world have begun to open up their wallets and make it simpler for consumers to get approved for unsecured personal loans. One great source to check out for personal loans is norskelån.com/smalan .

In addition to introducing less rigid credit requirements that will enable individuals with poor credit and high debt amounts to achieve approval, banks are also trying to entice applicants with good-excellent credit by offering lower interest rates. For example, a few years ago, US Bank introduced unsecured personal loans with interest rates beginning @ around 9%, lowered from the previous starting point of 13%. The amount of loans serviced since have more than tripled.

Proof of income is still a requirement for all applicants of good and bad credit looking for an instant payday loan. And those with higher credit scores/rating in conjunction with minimal debt amounts are still considered ideal candidates with approval being likely, accompanied with favorable rates and terms. If you are able to receive an approval, the interest rates you receive will heavily depend on your ability of being able to pay the loan back timely. Interest rates are fixed, but if you fall behind on payments, you are going to incur late fees.  If you neglect to make your payments, your account will be handed over to a collection agency which can equate to being sued in court. You don’t want to go this route. Therefore, don’t apply for a personal loan if you do not think you will be able to satisfy payment obligations.

It is very important to note that being able to obtain easy credit also has its downside. For instance, many consumer advocates contend that these types of loans invite consumers to spend money that they should be saving. Choice has reported that many of their clients utilize their loans for buying large-ticket merchandise like flat-screen televisions, stereos, etc.. These types of purchases are not satisfying life’s necessities and should be carefully evaluated before proceeding. It is also common for borrowers to use the funding they receive for paying off high-interest credit card debt.

Unsecured personal loans are an excellent financing option, if used properly. They not only help satisfy unexpected financial crisis, like paying for doctor bills or home repairs, but can help you save money by paying off balances on high-interest credit cards. In addition, eliminating credit card debt will also help improve your credit score and rating since the carry on an unsecured loan is not as much of an impact on your credit.

0% Interest Cards With the Best Intro Periods in 2013

VISA credit card0% interest credit cards are a bit of a misnomer, since no credit card offers 0% interest forever. That would be cool, huh?

Credit cards billed as 0% interest cards actually refer to the intro periods these cards use as sign-up incentives. The best intro periods are the ones that charge no interest on purchases and balance transfers for a specific period of time.

Obviously, you want to to pay no interest for as long as you can, making the best 0% interest cards the ones with the longest intro periods. These cards are especially useful for consumers hoping to transfer their credit debt from one card with high interest to a new, zero interest credit card.

This is the most popular way to eliminate interest fees without paying back all of your credit at once. However, because some consumers have more credit debt than others (a recent report from the credit bureau TransUnion said that the average borrower owed close to $5,000 in credit debt alone), the best 0 interest credit cards are the ones with the longest introductory periods.

So if you’re hoping to save money on interest fees in the coming year, consider transferring your credit debt to one of the 0% interest credit cards below with the longest intro periods.

  • Discover itâ„¢ Card â“ 18 Month Balance Transfer

No 0% interest balance transfer card on the market today has a longer intro period than 18 months. That said, a full year-and-a-half is a generous amount of time to pay back your credit debt interest-free.

There are only a handful of 18-month intro period credit cards, and the new Discover itâ„¢ – 18 Month Balance Transfer Card is simply one of the best. An upgrade to their popular More ® Card series, Discover itâ„¢ offers cardholders a lucrative rewards program, with 5% cash back opportunities on rotating categories, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

It’s also especially useful for jet-setters since it charges no foreign transaction fees (as opposed to the usual 3%), and there’s no annual fee and they’ll even waive the fee on the first late payment you make (it’s $35 thereafter).

But this credit card from Discover is most useful thanks to its 0% intro period. If you’re hoping to back credit debt over time, you literally won’t find a better offer than the one afforded by the Discover itâ„¢ â“ 18 Month Balance Transfer Card.

  • Citi Simplicity Card

No credit card with 0% interest for 18 months is better suited for the consumer looking to simplify and consolidate their debt than the Citi Simplicity Card.

Like it’s name, this Citi card makes transferring debt simple; no interest on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, no annual fees and â“ best of all â“ no late payment fees! OK, you should really avoid late payments since they’ll hurt your credit score, but it’s nice to know your wallet won’t get docked, too.

The only knock on this credit card with no interest is that it doesn’t offer a rewards program. That said, this an easy credit card to monitor in terms of payments and fees, and is one of the very best if your main goal is to alleviate credit debt in 2013.

  • Slate from Chase â“ No Balance Transfer Fee

Finally, the Slate from Chase â“ No Balance Transfer Fee Card is popular because, like its name makes mention of, it’s the only card on the market today that doesn’t charge a fee when you transfer a balance.

The average balance transfer fee is 3% of the total balance you plan on transferring. (That’s also the rate used by the aforementioned 0 interest cards above.) Slate from Chase â“ No Balance Transfer Fee is the only card that offers a balance transfer to its card free of charge. Note that no fee balance transfers are only eligible when made within 60 days of the credit card account opening.

The intro period attached to this card is slightly shorter â“ 15 months â“ but the fact that it waives the standard balance transfer fee make it one of the three best 0% interest credit cards of 2013.

This guest post was written by  Jason Bushey. Jason is a personal finance blogger and the editor of Creditnet.com.

photo by dahlstroms

Ultimate Credit Sesame Review

credit sesameMost financial blogs have already written reviews regarding the Credit Sesame site and its exciting offers. However, for those of you who are still unaware as to what this is and what it can do for you, here is a brief article that summarizes its key points.

First thing, to keep you interest, you must know this: there is most definitely a way for you to benefit from Credit Sesame. How this could happen is by increasing your scores.

Your credit score is a numerical symbol that ranges from 300 to 850, that represents your financial history. The higher your credit score, the better your record is. Typically, these scores are resulted from a process of systems that evaluate the risk of allowing you a loan. These systems include FICO and a number of others, FICO leading the charts.

When you apply for a loan for whatever reason, the summary of all of your financial statements and transactions can be judged by your financial score. An example is if you have a credit score of 600, then you are qualified to apply for a mortgage. Most lenders and banks also make use of the recorded credit score to thoroughly evaluate those who would be able to bring in higher percentages of revenue.

The way to keep your credit score up to par or possibly even impressive is to pay your bills in a timely manner and not allow yourself to be chin-deep in debt. All of these transactions are documented and recorded immediately to make sure that your credit score changes accordingly.

This is what Credit Sesame is willing to help you with, to better your credit score and rejuvenate your account should it need anything akin to that.

Credit Sesame welcomes you to apply. All you have to do is register. You will need to provide somewhat sensitive information such as your Social Security Number and your current address, but rest assured that all of this information will be kept under wraps. With that done, you will have your own account and will be ready to evaluate your financial history for the betterment of your credit score.

The reason why Credit Sesame exists in the first place is for the sole purpose of showing consumers how they look like to lender and banks alike. They have to understand what makes them a commodity and a risk. This is why evaluation of former details regarding you, as the consumer’s, financial transactions and current capabilities is a must. This is where the advice that Credit Sesame can apply. This is where all of the end results will spawn from.

credit sesame

The reason for real time balance not being displayed is because what is being displayed on Credit Sesame will be what is read by the lender so the actual balance will bear no real weight in the case. Having this balance presented to you from the perspective of the lender will also back up the reasons as to why your credit score is the way that it is. It will show you, as the consumer and user, where and what you have to do to improve on this aspect if you have to.

The offers and advice that Credit Sesame divulges is only applicable to those who have financial instability. Having a financing balance that is scraping with the ground can be a tough one, and that is why Credit Sesame suggests certain things for you to go by in case this is something that you would like to heed. This is also so that you can see the picture from a clearer perspective, and fine yourself in a rightful place if you are looking to be a home owner in the near future. Speaking of home ownerships, if this is something that you are deeply considering then you should check out Credit Sesame’s purchase goal. This is the new evaluator that has been created to suggest options for your potential mortgage through means that are fit for your financial preferences as of the moment.

Now, the site for Credit Sesame does not crumple itself with a load of smoke and mirrors so the interface is pretty simple and easy to understand. You will be getting the hang of everything in no time. Even with its modern and clean interface, that is actually just the tip of the iceberg. As simple as everything may seem, Credit Sesame is a site that contains a whole lot of tools that can assist you further. This is a site that is designed to help you understand how you, as the client, would look in the eyes of a bank or a lender. This is to aid in your comprehension regarding your credit score as well, and what you must and can do to put yourself right back on top. Credit score can fluctuate for a number of reasons regarding financial transactions, so it is best to make sure that for whatever you lose, you are knowledgeable on how to get everything back. Credit Sesame has many advices and tips for you on how to do that, too. Not only will it provide your with free credit scores, but ultimately it will show you how to save more money overtime and improve your financial balance.

Credit Sesame will provide you with a frame by frame of your current financial situation, no fuss, no muss, just unbiased, straight to the point information about where you are now and what you have to do. This is done by collecting all that there is know about your debts, your current loans, mortgage, if you have one, and so on and so forth. What Credit Sesame believes is that the more aware you are about what is happening to yourself and your money, the better you will be at evaluating what your next step will be in the future.

Credit Sesame is a free service that will allow you a quick rundown of your monthly credit score. Keep this tool in mind when you find that you are in need of a pick me up, or have to get your financial balances and statements in check.

credit sesame

Top Tips for Finding a Bankruptcy Lawyer

bankruptcyIf you are faced with a large accumulation of debt, it may seem next to impossible to tackle each dollar one by one and find a light at the end of the tunnel. There are countless reasons why people fall on hard times and fall behind on their bills, when you can’t pay your debt back or paying back your debt would place a tremendous financial burden on you and your family, it may be time to consider bankruptcy. Because there are so many different laws and provisions when it comes to bankruptcy, the first thing you need to do is look to hire a bankruptcy attorney who specializes in debt consolidation as well as any special concerns you may have related to your case in your specific state.

Free consultation

One of the best ways to find a bankruptcy lawyer is to select one who offers a free consultation. You can typically find a lawyer offering a free consultation through advertisements on the television or radio, as well as at some debt consolidation firms. This is especially beneficial when you are facing extreme financial woes and can’t afford to pay for any type of consultation fee. Some attorneys do charge consultation fees and they can run anywhere from $50 to $300 depending on your location and their fees. A free consultation allows you to speak one on one with a lawyer either in person or over the phone. Make sure the lawyer answers all of your questions regarding a bankruptcy including what type you qualify for, any type of provisions that need to be followed, how the process works and how much the entire bankruptcy will cost.

Yellow pages

Finding a good lawyer may be as simple as opening up your local phone book’s yellow pages. While some lawyers may have websites or blogs, most generally local lawyers still advertise in the yellow pages to attract customers who many not have access to the internet. Within the yellow pages you can easily see what lawyers specialize in, especially the types of bankruptcy including chapters 7 and 13 as well as various types of debt consolidation. This is a great time saver so you prevent contacting lawyers who have specialties other than bankruptcy.

Lawyers you know

If you have seen a particular lawyer in the past for a personal matter such as probate or divorce and you trust that lawyer, it may be beneficial to contact him. If he has handled a lot of your legal issues in the past, he is familiar with the best options for you and your situation. If he can’t help he can refer you or put you in touch with a lawyer who specializes in bankruptcy court.

Contact local and state organizations

If you are researching lawyers in your area or who might be best qualified to take on your case, you may want to do some investigating as well. Contacting your state bar association is a place to start. They will be able to tell you if a particular lawyer has had any disciplinary action against them as well as how long they have been practicing.  For example, I live in San Diego so to contact  bankruptcy  lawyers in San Diego, I would contact local organizations in my community.  And once I do find a bankruptcy attorney in San Diego, I would call up other people who had experience with them to make sure I’m getting someone qualified.

Taking all things into consideration, you should shop around for a good lawyer before hiring him to take on your case.

photo by ralphandjenny

Avoid the Dangers of Using a Credit Card this Holiday Season

christmas debtMany people fall victim to holiday credit card pitfalls every year due to a lack of knowledge about credit, in addition to failure to adequately prepare for holiday shopping using a credit card.

Should you open a retailer branded credit card?

One of the major pitfalls of holiday credit card usage is that consumers often get convinced by retailers to open a department store branded credit card in order to realize about 10 to 15% savings on purchases at those retailers. While these savings may be tempting, most people don’t realize that the credit cards offered by these retailers generally feature a very high interest rate. If you, as a consumer, plan to carry a balance on this new credit card at all, then you will lose the amount of money that you originally saved by opening the card, and more. In addition to these high interest rates, opening new lines of credit too often in a small period of time has the potential to damage your credit score. As a rule of thumb, respectfully decline when retailers ask you if you want to open a new credit card with them to receive a discount on your purchases.

Set yourself a holiday shopping credit limit

Consumers can avoid putting too many gifts on credit simply by setting themselves their own personal limit, and keeping track of what they buy. For example, a consumer could set a personal limit of $500 to spend on credit during this holiday season, and when they reach that limit, they have to stop putting purchases on their credit card and instead start paying in cash. While its always tempting to spend a bunch of money to buy your friends and loved ones gifts, they will understand if you simply cannot afford to spend outside of your means. If you’re looking for a good way to monitor your spend, many credit card companies offer free mobile apps that allow you set up alerts that notify you when you’ve reached a certain spend.

How can using a credit card for your holiday shopping benefit you?

Using a credit card for your holiday shopping, however, can definitely benefit cardholders because of the vast amount of rewards that can be gained by putting purchases on your credit card. You should compare rewards credit cards in order to maximize the rewards you will receive based on your spending habits. As long as you know you can afford to pay off your balance without incurring large interest fees, you should put your holiday purchases on your credit card because most credit cards offer some sort of reward for each dollar spent.

photo by paparutzi

Best Alternatives to Credit Cards

credit card alternativeCredit cards are often considered essential for many people, especially those who love to go out shopping often or don’t want to carry around cash. However, credit cards are also the leading cause of debt and can be dangerous to use if you really don’t have the money to pay it off. Luckily, there are many other options that can replace a credit card and work just as a well including low interest rate credit cards. Besides that, it might help you control your spending and keep you from owning a lot of money later. Here are the best alternatives to credit cards:

1.Charge cards:
If you want to make easy purchases with a card but not use credit, try charge cards. They are very similar to credit cards. However, you have to pay the money you spent with the card within that month period. This is a smart way of making sure you don’t end up in debt, and if you can’t pay one month your card will stop working. This is a good option for those who want to control money spending and keep track of how much they owe.

2.Prepaid cards:
Another newer method of spending money with a card is a prepaid card. With the card, you can put in your own money and be allowed to spend that limit when out shopping. It works at all ATM stations and ensures you don’t go into debt simply because you can’t go over your balance. Prepaid cards are very easily to handle and put money on, and also work to track you spending in a way that will not have you owning anything. It is a lot like a credit card except you actually are spending money you put in before you use it.

3.Debit cards:
A debit card is similar to a credit card, but it should be put after prepaid cards and charge cards because they can also cause problems. When you make a purchase bigger than what you have on your account, it will grab money from different accounts instead of sending you a bill and keeping you in debt. This can be dangerous, but is a good option for those who have a lot of money on their account and know how to spend safely.

Use these top three alternatives when out shopping and see a major difference in how much you spend, how you spend and how your money is tracked and stored. You’ll find that it’s easier to stay organized with your accounts and money, and also will help you prevent from going into debt that will cause later money issues and lots of stress in anyone’s life.   If you decide to stay with credit cards, tread carefully and always use a credit card comparison site.

photo by tax credits

Payday Loans Regulations in Montana

We have all had those months. The boiler breaks down and we’ve not budgeted for this and with winter coming we need the job done quickly. The result is that your pay check won’t extend to cover all your outgoings.  1 hour payday loans promise a helping hand. If you live in Montana you may well find that your ability to get such a loan is different than if you live in Oklahoma.
In the US there are many differences in how accessible can be to the general public and this may affect your ability to borrow quickly. Oklahoma, where loans are less difficult to acquire, has had more than twice the average rate US of short term loan funding by %age of the population in the last five years. 13% of Oklahomans had borrowed from a pay day loan source in the last five years (source).

In states such as Arkansas pay day loans are not allowed to be purchased on the main street and it may be that in these states obtaining short term cash funding will be difficult to achieve and more traditional forms of financing; bank loans or credit card use may be more appropriate.In Montana regulations are probably as tight as they can be in the US payday loans market and the limitations to both lenders and those seeking to borrow mean it is not always an attractive option.

Comparison of Payday Loans regulation in Montana and Oklahoma
MontanaOklahoma
Maximum Amount$300$500
Maximum Term31 days45 days
Maximum APR650%390%

In Montana your loan could cost you almost twice as much & be paid back in 33% less time. And if you are looking to borrow more than $300 then it is likely that you will have to look at an alternative to a cash advance to help you replace that broken boiler.
It’s important to handle payday loans carefully and to think through the situation carefully before borrowing money â“ this situation would be the same with any mainstream lender regarding credit facilities. For further information, read the citizen’s FDIC guidelines for payday lending.

What are Specialist Cards and are they Right for Me?

If you’re looking for an exciting new way to manage your finances,  one of the specialist credit cards available could be just what you need. They’ll make a great addition to your wallet and will help you support your favourite charity, club or society just by spending â“ so let’s find out more.

Football credit cards

With the new Premiership season in full swing, now’s the perfect time to take out a football credit card. You’ll benefit from great introductory offers, fantastic football rewards and competitive rates and will earn points every time you use your card â“ helping you to claim special merchandise and a wide range of goodies. What’s more, for each approved credit card application and on-going card purchases, reputable banking groups will make a contribution to your football club â“ at no extra cost to you.

Rugby credit cards

Do you take regular trips to Welford Road to watch the Leicester Tigers play? Perhaps you have a season ticket to Franklin’s Gardens to watch the Northampton Saints? If so, a rugby credit card could be right up your street. Your club’s logo will be proudly blazoned across the front and your new card will be colour-coded to match your rugby scarf or strip. You’ll also feel part of an exclusive rugby supporters club and will have access to a wide range of promotions and deals, so  find out more about the credit card application process today  and earn points as you spend.

Charity credit cards

Whether you want to support the RSPCA or The National Trust, a charity credit card will help you fund the work of your favourite charity cause. That’s right; every time you make a credit card purchase â“ be it fuel or food â“ your bank will make a contribution to your charity at no extra cost to you. This means the more you spend, the more they’ll donate, so it’s worth looking into this option carefully. You’ll also enjoy great introductory rates as well as all the features of a traditional credit card including online card services, paperless statements, fraud protection and much more.

Travel credit cards

If you’re a frequent flier, a travel credit card will help you earn airline miles whenever you spend. These can then be redeemed for flights, upgrades, special offers and travel deal across the globe and should save you money in the long-run. Travel credit cards also offer other great travel benefits including discounted airport parking, discounted car hire, reduced luggage charges and hotel deals and provide a higher level of fraud protection abroad. Of course, travel deals are specific to the airline and their credit card reward programme, so take the time to read the small print.

There is a wide range of credit cards available today, so why not browse the web for all the latest information?

Applying for Credit Cards for Fair Credit is Easy

applying for credit cardsCredit card issues may not be headlines all around the world, but they are huge concerns to owners and applicants alike. Assurances short of military grade are offered as safeguard against fraud. Marketing strategies highlight best deals. But the primary issue for many is fraught with more intimate concerns, quite possibly:

What plastic is truly (madly, deeply) meant for me?

Will someone, anyone, tell me how to get a credit card with no credit?

 

Credit Scores Are Not Just Numbers

Having no credit could be the death sentence for your application. A poor credit history may be synonymous to the lowest probability of getting the card that you need â“low interest rates and preferably no annual bills. You only think that because there were no venues that present the deals out there. Now, choices are laid down for all credit levels and types. The aim, eventually, is for (credit) world domination. But let us try not getting ahead of ourselves.

Fair credit does not mean average benefits. Bank offers vary but the prizes are never limited for those with an average payment record. Terms are given, and introductory promotions posted in huge fonts and attractive colors that can’t be missed. Credit cards for fair credit are generally for people with not so perfect payment history. But do not fret. The idea is for the user of the interface to find the pearl in a sea of pearls. The assumption is, if one needs a lifeguard, there’s always someone in the water to point the way to the shore, or to deeper water if that’s your thing. But enough with metaphors– just saying, it’s easy.

 

A High FICO Means You Are a Winner

If you have good or excellent credit, you are in many ways the master of the credit card application Multi-verse. Without much ado, a review of your credit history leads to entitlements not available to those who do not possess a very much sought after record. Almost always, applications that come back with a check-mark are worth likable shout-outs and status updates:

  • Low fixed rates!
  • Zero percent APR for balance transfers!
  • Cash back!
  • Rewards, Rewards, Rewards!

But remember, you can’t do everything yourself. Your excellent score still need to be matched. Here’s one more, irresistible perk. There’s a place where you can do this at your own convenience, guaranteeing safety and confidentiality.

On that note, your personal financial decision-making guide ought to be trusted to monetary experts. An ideal collaborator will help you not just with conflict resolution (To apply or not to apply now?) but also with a perfect plastic fit for you. A real partner extends a hand in advancing your credit limit, if your aim is an increase in FICO score from a not so lowly 750 to a high and mighty 850.

 

Credit Card Application 101

You realize, after many rejections that your knowledge base or lack thereof is the key to your downfall. A crash course is herein provided. The first step is always the hardest. Get your credit report. If you have no idea what this is, browse and click a button. Then cross-check the data with any reference you may have in order to spot the irregularity, if any. It is best to be vigilant, especially in personal financial matters. While you are at it, get your credit score at the click of a button and claim the result within thirty days (it is free!). What do you need your credit score for? How to get a credit card with no credit? Read again, from the top.

photo by alancleaver