Consumer Credit

Most credit books promise quick fixes and easy solutions to bad credit, but the truth is there is no quick fix when it comes to credit. Your best strategy as a smart consumer is to understand your credit inside and out. Credit expert John Ulzheimer can give you all the tools you need to master the world of credit, before or after you get into trouble, and take the power back into your own hands.

In this book, Tom shares what the banks and collections agencies don't want you to know - how to settle your credit card debt at an 80% discount with a 5 minute phone call. Entrepreneur and investor Tom Corson-Knowles shares his point of view as the owner of a credit card debt buying company. Having worked with hundreds of consumers in credit card debt, Tom has seen first-hand the mistakes people make that get them into debt - and keep them stuck there.

Every day across America, consumers face issues with credit cards, mortgages, car loans, and student loans. When they are cheated or mistreated, all too often they hit a brick wall against the financial companies. People are fed up with being run over by big corporations, and few have the resources or expertise to fight back on their own. It is no wonder consumers feel powerless: they are outgunned every step of the way. Since 1970, the financial industry has doubled in size. It is the biggest source of campaign contributions....

Plastic surgery has become the answer for many Americans, and in American Plastic sociologist Laurie Essig explores how we arrived at this particular solution. Over the last decade there has been a 465 percent increase in cosmetic work, and we now spend over $12 billion annually on procedures like liposuction, face-lifts, tummy tucks, and boob jobs.