Why You Need To Pay Your Credit Card Statement On Time

If you have a credit card you know you get a credit card statement each and every month like clockwork. The question is, do you pay that statement on time, every time? If the answer is no, that late payment could be costing you a lot more than the fee charged by your credit card company. Here are some more reasons why you need to pay your credit card statement on time.

Continue reading "It's More Than Just a Credit Card Statement" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 3:15 PM | Permalink

Valentine's Day Spending vs. Credit Card Wisdom

In our culture it seems that we want bigger and better, regardless of price, and that can be seen in our Valentine's Day spending habits. We always have to outdo ourselves (or the Jones), but at what cost? If you're putting your Valentine's Day gifts on a credit card and not paying cash, here are some things you need to ask yourself.

Continue reading "Should You Put that Valentine's Day Gift on Your Credit Card?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 1:43 PM | Permalink

It's Time to Get Control Of Your Credit Card Situation

If you're like millions of consumers, you may be inundated by credit card debt. With the fresh start of a new year, it's time to get that debt under control. If your New Year's resolution was to get a handle on that debt, here are some ways to keep that resolution in check.

Continue reading "New Year's Credit Card Resolutions" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 11:54 AM | Permalink

Some Gifts Can Help Alleviate Credit Problems

If you ask a person with credit problems what they would like most, they'd probably say a ready and willing co-signer. Unfortunately, co-signing for someone's credit can put your own credit rating at risk, and no one wants that. There are, however, gifts that you can give that will help the ones you care about rebuild their credit histories. Here are some tips for this holiday season.

Continue reading "The Best Gifts To Give To Those With Credit Problems" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 6:18 PM | Permalink

How To Keep an Eye On Your Credit Card Spending

Holiday shopping season is in full swing, and so is credit card spending. Millions of consumers are whipping their credit cards out at the register and millions are getting in debt. Want to make sure you keep your credit card spending under control this holiday season? Here are some helpful tips.

Continue reading "Watch Your Credit Card Spending This Holiday Season" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 12:41 AM | Permalink

Credit Card Statements: Paper vs. Electronic

If your credit card company has notified you about your option to receive your credit card statements electronically, you might be wondering if it's a good idea. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and if you're interested in switching to electronic there are some things you need to know.

Continue reading "Do You Use Electronic Credit Card Statements?" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 5:30 PM | Permalink

Limiting Use of Your Credit Cards

Perhaps you’ve made a commitment to curb your spending habits and stop using your credit cards needlessly. That’s a pretty serious commitment, but without proper planning, it might not be a reality. Below are some helpful tips that will help you reach your financial goals and limit your credit card usage.

Continue reading "How Often Do You Use Your Credit Cards?" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 7:21 PM | Permalink

Money Management Skills and Credit Cards

The truth is that many American families have some level of credit card debt and most have too much of it. The American lifestyle has changed a lot in the last fifty years. Women entered the workforce in record numbers beginning in the 1960s, and our busy lifestyles have caused an increase in consumerism. We now need more goods and services than ever before, and along with an increase in spending, often comes an increase in credit card debt.

Continue reading "Know Where to Shop" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 2:28 PM | Permalink

Credit Cards and Christmas Shopping

If you’re planning on using your credit cards to purchase Christmas presents this year, there are a few things you need to know. One might think that using credit cards for Christmas shopping would be fairly simple -- and in many ways it is. However, there are some tips to follow if you want to make the most of your credit cards this holiday shopping season.

Continue reading "Helpful Tips for Using Your Credit Cards This Christmas Season" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 7:02 PM | Permalink

Watching Suze Orman Can Definitely Help with Your Credit Card Situation

For years Suze Orman has been dishing out financial and credit card advice to attentive audiences and readers. She’s popular -- and for good reason. She’s honest, but more importantly, she focuses on what’s important in life: taking care of yourself and your family and friends. Most of my friends and acquaintances regularly tune in to her advice (though not all readily admit it). The interesting thing is -- Suze Orman’s advice about credit card issues seems to have changed recently...

Continue reading "Credit Card Advice the Orman Way" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 11:03 PM | Permalink

Are Cashiers Becoming Credit Card Pushers?

As if the average consumer doesn't have enough credit card debt, store cashiers are now turning into credit card pushers. The other day I had to buy undergarments for the kids. Not the most glamorous task, but someone's got to do it. After debating between Sponge Bob boxer briefs and Spiderman tidy whities and listening to my daughter lament about the woes of having to deal with butterfly undies instead of Bratz I didn't expect to go to war with the cashier. Boy, was I in for a surprise.

Continue reading "Dealing With Aggressive In-Store Credit Card Techniques" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 10:36 PM | Permalink

Don't Get Stuck Paying Cash Advance Interest Rates on Your Credit Card

If you look at the terms and conditions of your credit card, you'll likely see that cash advances carry a much higher interest rate than purchases as well as a cash advance fee. However, a cash advance isn't just going to the bank and requesting cash or putting your credit card in an ATM machine. Other transactions qualify as cash advances too -- at least where interest rates are concerned. If you don't want any unpleasant surprises on your credit card statement, these are some things to keep in mind...

Continue reading "Are You Being Charged A Cash Advance Rate For a Credit Card Purchase?" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 11:36 PM | Permalink

Credit Card Disputes Aren't Always Cut and Dry

Many of us take comfort in the fact that our credit cards are safe to use. If we receive an unauthorized or improper charge, we can simply dispute it, right? Unfortunately, many consumers don't understand that there are limits to credit card disputes. Here's what you need to know.

Continue reading "Things You Need to Know About Disputing a Credit Card Error" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 10:25 PM | Permalink

Managing Late Credit Card Payments

Bad things happen to good people and it's not uncommon for the most responsible of us to fall behind on our credit card payments at one time or another. The key to overcoming it in one piece is how you handle the situation. Here are some tips to help you deal with late credit card payments and what to do if you can't pay on time.

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Posted by Jessica Hunter at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Why You Shouldn't Keep Switching Credit Cards

Everyone loves the introductory offers that credit cards offer. After all, who doesn't want interest-free financing, double rewards or cash incentives? The problem is, hoping from one credit card to the next can actually hurt your credit. Here's some things you need to know.

Continue reading "Credit Cards: Why Being Loyal Can Pay" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 9:29 PM | Permalink

Credit Card Insurance 101

Credit card insurance -- it's offered almost every time you get a new credit card, but is it something you really need? When it comes to credit card insurance, what you don't know can hurt you. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Continue reading "Do You Need Credit Card Insurance?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 8:09 PM | Permalink

Keeping An Eye On Your Credit Card Situation

If there's one thing that can be said about credit card debt, it's that it can sneak up on you faster than you realize. That's why I suggest reviewing your credit card health every other month. That way, there are no unpleasant credit surprises suddenly upon you. Here are some easy ways to keep an eye on your credit card situation.

Continue reading "Checking Your Credit Card Health" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 10:34 PM | Permalink

Unauthorized Credit Card Charges Are Not Yours to Pay

You get your credit card statement in the mail only to find that there are numerous credit card charges that you never authorized. You're not alone. Thousands of people have found unauthorized credit card charges on their monthly statements. Fortunately, it's not your job to pay for charges you don't authorize. Here's how to handle unauthorized credit card charges the right way.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 3:39 PM | Permalink

Credit Cards Can Actually Save You Money

All too often it seems that we look at credit cards as if they were evil villains lurking in our wallets waiting to bury us in treacherous depths of debt. Sometimes we have to take a moment to remember that credit cards are tools, not entities. It's not the credit cards themselves that are evil -- it's what people do with them that makes the difference between good and bad. There are indeed ways to make your credit cards work for you. Here are some pointers.

Continue reading "Top 5 Ways to Save Money with Credit Cards" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 6:19 PM | Permalink

Look At Your Credit Cards Before Taking Out a Payday Loan

If you have a cash emergency in between paydays and your in a pinch, there are dozens of payday loan companies willing to lend you the money you need. Unfortunately, many consumers don't realize that a cash advance from their credit cards is ten times better than any payday loan ever will be. If you've ever considered a payday loan, let me explain why your credit cards are a better choice.

Continue reading "Why Credit Cards are Better Than Payday Loans" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 6:02 PM | Permalink

What One Credit Card Prank Revealed

I was recently at a website called Zug.com that explained, in detail, how someone was fed up with the way merchants don't really check the signatures on the credit card receipts adequately. They decided to take matters into their own hands and pull a credit card prank. However, in addition to making me giggle a bit, the prank also made me wonder what in the world the cashiers taking credit card payments are thinking.

Continue reading "A Not So Funny Credit Card Story" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 9:04 PM | Permalink

Why Some Consumers Are Better Off Charging Their Cards

I always used to advise people against using their credit cards for car purchases. After all, car loan interest rates are usually way less than a credit card interest rate. However, that's not always the case nowadays. If your credit is less than perfect and you've been thinking about buying a car, you may actually want to look at the interest rate of your credit cards before taking out a car loan.

Continue reading "Credit Cards Vs. Car Loans" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 3:40 PM | Permalink

A Common Credit Card Deception

When it comes to suspicious activity, I'm usually willing give the credit card company the benefit of the doubt. However, there are some things that just seem to jump out at you and scream scam. If you're currently paying a credit card off that has an introductory interest rate or special interest offer, there are some things you need to know.

Continue reading "Oh The Tricks That Credit Card Companies Play" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 5:13 PM | Permalink

Too Much Credit Card Debt

It’s very easy for consumers in this day and age to get overwhelmed with credit card debt. Many consumers use their credit cards to pay for items that they would otherwise not be able to purchase or afford. The problem is when people use credit cards to pay for weekly and monthly expenses without paying them off each month.

Continue reading "A Tale of Credit Card Debt and the Grocery Store" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 8:24 PM | Permalink

What You Need to Know about Credit Cards and Group Vacations

If you’re going on a group vacation this year, you might want to work out the details so that you don’t end up with more credit card debt than you bargained for. Sure the idea behind a group vacation is certainly fun. It’s a great way for a group of friends or extended family members to spend some quality time with one another relaxing and having fun. But your credit cards can take a beating if you don’t plan properly.

Continue reading "Should You Use Your Credit Cards When Planning a Group Vacation?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 8:46 PM | Permalink

Should You Really Use Credit Card Checks?

Many consumers know that credit cards are a tool of convenience and one of the conveniences credit cards offers is the ability to write checks against your credit line. But are these credit card checks really a good idea, or are they just way to get in you’re your head?

Continue reading "The Truth about Credit Card Checks" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 8:18 PM | Permalink

Where Should You Store Your Credit Cards?

Having your wallet or purse stolen with all your credit cards tucked neatly inside is certainly not fun. Not only are you out of all the cash in the purse or wallet, but you will also have to spend a lot of time contacting your creditors and arranging for replacement cards. Fortunately, we have some tips that will help you reduce your risk of stolen credit cards.

Continue reading "Reduce Your Risk of Stolen Credit Cards" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 5:12 PM | Permalink

Understanding the Different Credit Card Payment Options

Most credit cards today accept different forms of payment. Any bank will allow you to send your check or money order using the postal service. Many banks allow you to pay bills over the Internet using their online billing service. A majority of retail credit cards allow you to pay on your charge account in the store. The options are quite numerous. We’ve got some tips to help you determine which credit card payment options are best for you.

Continue reading "You Do Have Credit Card Payment Options" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 10:59 PM | Permalink

Why Some People Find a Solution in Freezing Credit Cards

If you’ve ever heard the recommendation from financial experts about freezing your credit cards (i.e., putting your credit cards in the freezer), you may be wondering whether or not it's a good idea. Are there really consumers who would benefit by freezing their credit cards? The answer isn't always cut and dry...

Continue reading "Do You Need to Freeze your Credit Cards?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 7:11 PM | Permalink

Why Your Credit Card Receipts Are So Important

Whenever you use your credit card in a restaurant, you have the option of putting the gratuity on your credit card. This is often a nice convenience because you don't have to worry about carrying cash around to leave at the table. However, unless you keep your credit card receipts each month, this could lead to trouble.

Continue reading "Do You Keep Your Credit Card Receipts When Dining Out?" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 6:44 PM | Permalink

What You Need to Know about Cash Advances Even If You Don’t Have a Credit Card for Bad Credit

Continue reading "Cash Advances Cost a Lot Even If You Aren’t Using a Credit Card for Bad Credit" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 6:13 AM | Permalink

Should Spouses Have Separate Credit Cards?

Many financial experts suggest that married couples each have separate bank accounts and credit cards. I’m not going to debate whether that is good or bad advice here. However, if you are married and you and your spouse have separate credit cards and bank accounts, it is still important to keep the lines of communication open.

Continue reading "Credit Cards for Married Couples" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 7:07 PM | Permalink

Credit Card Offers, Identity Theft, and Your Credit Rating

You might be inundated with credit card offers, but does that mean your credit rating is spectacular? Many consumers mistakenly assume that receiving credit card offers means that their credit rating is good. If you want to learn more about the confusing misconceptions about credit card offers read more below.

Continue reading "Misconceptions about Credit Card Offers" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Why Hospitals and Doctors are Encouraging Patients to Use a Credit Card

As a consumer, should you put medical treatment you receive on a credit card? It sounds like a strange question to ask, but according to recent news reports, doctors are teaming up with credit card companies in an effort to encourage their patients to get credit cards. This can be helpful for doctors or hospitals because they won’t have to spend money bill collection services later on if the patient doesn’t pay for services that either weren’t covered by their insurance or won’t covered at all because they had no insurance.

Continue reading "Using a Credit Card for Medical Treatments" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 8:57 PM | Permalink

Look into Credit Cards Guaranteed If You Have a Rocky Credit History

Credit cards, guaranteed, are a very convenient aspect of modern day life that many Americans can’t imagine life without. If you have a negative credit history, you might worry about your ability to qualify for a credit card. However, finding a credit card might not be as hard as you think. Credit cards guaranteed are a great place to start.

Continue reading "Credit Cards Guaranteed Can Help Reestablish Your Credit History" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 9:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Discover the Right Way to Use Your Credit Cards

This holiday season if you are doing any traveling keep in mind that there are situations where you shouldn't use two credit cards. If you are checking into a hotel this holiday season, you should keep the following information in mind. Never use two credit cards when making hotel arrangements.

Continue reading "Using Credit Cards for Holiday Travel and Shopping" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 11:36 PM | Permalink

Sorting Through Credit Card Offers

Most consumers receive so many credit card offers that they fail to pay attention to the particular details of each offer. There are a wide variety of credit card offers out there, and one type of credit card that is gaining renewed popularity is the affinity credit card. How do you sort through it all? It’s not as hard as you may think.

Continue reading "Consumers and Credit Card Offers" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 8:41 PM | Permalink

How-To Use Credit Cards for Holiday Shopping

Many financial experts advice consumers to not use credit cards during the holiday season. Instead, they think you should pay upfront for all the holiday presents you buy. On the other hand, there are those who insist that credit cards are the way to go when it comes to holiday shopping. Let’s try to sort through the often conflicting information about whether or not you should use your credit cards this holiday season.

Continue reading "Using Credit Cards This Holiday Season" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 3:00 PM | Permalink

Be Careful That Your Credit Cards Don’t Become Demagnetized

When you have credit cards, there are certain situations that can be somewhat embarrassing. Imagine that you are at the store waiting in line to get checked out and it is finally your turn. You wait patiently while the sales associate checks out all your purchases. Then you go to pay using your credit card. The sales associate tries to scan your card, but it won’t go through. She tries again and again, but the card still won’t read. To make matters worse, the numbers on the front are so faded that the card can’t be read manually. You don’t have your checkbook on you and you don’t have enough cash. What in the world is going on?

Continue reading "Dangers Your Credit Cards Must Face" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 1:01 AM | Permalink

Getting a Credit Card as a Teen Can Help Establish a Good Credit History

If you’re the parent of a teen, you might be wondering if you should allow your teen to have a credit card. Times are certainly much different than when you grew up, and nowadays many teens have credit cards. You’re definitely wise to question whether or not it is a good idea for your teen to have a credit card. The answer may surprise you.

Continue reading "Should You Allow Your Teen to Have a Credit Card?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 6:05 AM | Permalink

Easy Tips to Help You Remember to Pay Your Credit Cards on Time

If you have several credit cards, you might find yourself getting frustrated when it is time to pay the bills. It is so easy to lose a statement and forget to pay on time and keeping track of all those bills can feel like a full-time (okay, part-time) job. Fortunately, you can pay your credit cards with ease by putting the following tips to work for you.

Continue reading "Pay Your Credit Cards on Time to Avoid Late Fees" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 11:52 PM | Permalink

You Can Turn Purchases on Your Credit Cards into Cash for College

Credit cards have so many advantages nowadays that it oftentimes makes sense for consumers to have several different credit cards in their wallets. Credit card holders can enjoy an array of amenities, promotions and rewards from their credit card companies and outside companies can also be a source of savings for credit card holders. UPromise.com is one such example. If you have a child who will one day be in college or you know a child whose college fund you’d like to contribute to without actually putting any money in it, UPromise.com offers you the perfect opportunity.

Continue reading "What Can Credit Cards and UPromise.com Do For You?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 8:04 PM | Permalink

Why Credit Card Users Should Double Check Their Monthly Credit Card Statements

Having credit cards can make your life convenient in a large number of ways and many of us thrive on convenience. Unfortunately, it’s not always convenient to read through our credit card statements each and every month -- especially all those inserts that tend to come with them. If you’ve been automatically paying your credit card bills and tossing your credit card statements aside, promising to read through them later, there are some things you need to know.

Continue reading "Are Your Credit Card Statements Trying To Tell You Something?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 5:56 PM | Permalink

How a Credit Card Can Save the Day in an Emergency

If you are like many Americans, you probably have several credit cards at your disposal. If this is the case, you need to realize that it is important not to max out every credit card you have. Although it may be tempting to max out your cards on that vacation you’ve been wanting to take or the new wardrobe you’ve been wanting to purchase, you should devote at least one credit card exclusively for emergency purposes only.

Continue reading "Credit Cards for Emergency-Use Only" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 8:46 PM | Permalink

Why Consumers Shouldn’t Always Avoid Credit Cards with an Annual Fee

Sorting through the multitude of credit card offers can be confusing at times. Credit cards can provide a necessary convenience for many consumers, but offer terms and fine print can sometimes be discouraging. Consumers have a wide range of credit card options, and some features are more important to consider than others. So which ones should you be keeping an eye out for?

Continue reading "Are Credit Cards With Annual Fees a Good Idea?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 1:31 AM | Permalink

Don’t Add Any New Credit Cards to Your Wallet If You Plan to Purchase a Home

Using credit cards can be a helpful way to make ends meet. However, if you dream of purchasing your first home, you should refrain from applying for new credit cards and from charging up the ones you have. While credit cards don’t have to be a homebuyer’s enemy, they’re definitely not a homebuyer’s best friend.

Continue reading "Credit Cards and Home Ownership" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 10:58 PM | Permalink

Paying Your Credit Cards Online Can Cost You in Late Fees

If you are like most Americans, you carry at least one credit card. Having credit cards is an important part of building a good credit history. However, there are certain problems that credit cards can cause, such as being the victim of sneaky tactics and unexpected charges. I think it’s about time we discuss one of these increasingly-common problems.

Continue reading "Hidden Costs Associated with Having Credit Cards" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 11:58 PM | Permalink