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.

Continue reading "What To Do If You Fall Behind On Your Credit Card Payments" »

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.

Continue reading "How to Handle Unauthorized Credit Card Charges" »

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

Why Ordering a Credit Card for Your Spouse Can Make Things Simple

Imagine this -- it’s late at night and you’re sick as a dog. You need your husband or wife to go to the 24-hour convenience store so they can get you some medicine. The problem is, you have no cash in the house and the convenience store doesn’t take checks. The credit cards are all in your name, so your spouse isn’t going to be able to use any of them. What do you do? Wait until the drug store opens in the morning (as you suffer through the night)? If you want to avoid this scenario, you’d better make sure you’re prepared for it.

Continue reading "Make Life Easier By Getting a Credit Card for Your Spouse" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 5:54 PM | Permalink

How a Credit Card Can Help If Used Properly

If you’re a college student you might be tempted to use a credit card to pay for school supplies. With all the money you just spent on tuition for the semester, it might be your only option. Using a credit card to pay for school supplies can be a good option providing you devise a budget to pay off the items you purchase within 2 or 3 months.

Continue reading "Using a Credit Card to Purchase School Supplies?" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 4:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Credit Card Receipts Are Not Garbage

What do you do with your credit card receipts? Do you put them in a file or a shoebox? Do you throw them away? Where are your credit card receipts when your monthly statements come in? If you’re not checking your receipts against your statement, you may be throwing away your money.

Continue reading "Have You Been Checking Your Credit Card Receipts?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 7:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Gas Station Mishaps Leading to Valid Credit Cards Being Frozen

For many years credit card companies have been freezing credit cards used to purchase less than a dollar of gas. This is because purchasing less than a dollar’s worth of gas is almost always a sure sign the credit card or debit card has been stolen and the thief is checking to see if it’s valid. Unfortunately, there are now other reasons for gas purchases to fall under a dollar.

Continue reading "Make Sure the Gas Station Has Enough Gas Before Inserting Your Credit Card" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 2:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Don’t Use Your Credit Cards for This

In my line of work, I come across more than a few interesting stories. Many of those stories involve crazy things people have done with their credit cards – things they regretted doing later on. Want to avoid some outrageous mistakes? Don’t use your credit cards for the following.

Continue reading "Crazy Things People Have Done With Credit Cards" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Can You Get Better Credit Card Terms?

If you’re like most credit card holders, you’re probably not completely satisfied with the terms of your credit card agreement. Whether you don’t like the interest rate you’re paying, your credit limit or the fees your credit card company charges, there’s probably at least one thing you’re not happy with. Believe it or not, getting what you want is sometimes just a matter of asking.

Continue reading "Get a Better Deal from Your Credit Card Company" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 6:21 PM | Permalink

Over-the-Limit Credit Card Fees Can Sometimes Be Avoided

A funny thing happened to me the other day. Well, actually it wasn’t as much funny as it was baffling. I opened my credit card statement to find that I had been charged a $29 over-the-limit credit card fee. Considering I am usually very careful not to go over the limit on my credit cards and we rarely, if ever, reach our maximum credit limit during any given month, I was baffled by this charge. Then reality hit me -- we did indeed exceed our credit limit -- by a whopping six cents.

Continue reading "Fighting Over-the-Limit Credit Card Fees" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 6:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

There Are Some Good Things to Say about Paying Your Bills with Credit Cards

Okay, I must relent. On more than one occasion, I have written about the fact that automatically paying your bills with credit cards can be an unwise decision. After all, there is a risk of being unable to stop automatic payments as quickly as you would like to. However, many of our visitors have written in stating that there are a number of positive points to paying your bills with credit cards, and I must agree with them on certain points.

Continue reading "The Other Side to Paying Your Bills with Credit Cards" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 7:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Getting to the Bottom of Credit Card Offers and Pre-Approval Letters

Credit card offers frequently come in the mail. For example, you get a letter stating that you’ve been pre-approved for a credit card. The credit card offer touts an appealing interest rate and no annual membership fee. But are you really pre-approved for this credit card? Will you really get the credit card if you send in the pre-approval form? The answer may surprise you.

Continue reading "Credit Card Offers: Is That Letter Really a Pre-Approval For a Credit Card?" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Should You Have More Than One Credit Card?

Many people debate over the fact whether or not they should have more than one credit card. Some people believe that having more than one credit card increases your buying power while others believe that having too many credit cards can actually have a negative effect on your credit. So who’s right? Should you only use one credit card or should you use many?

Continue reading "One Credit Card or Many?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 4:29 PM | Permalink

Are Your Credit Cards Confusing You?

If you’re confused about your credit cards or the terms and conditions of the credit cards you hold, you’re not alone. A recent nationwide consumer study brought forth alarming statistics. Just when we thought that the masses were being educated in regards to their credit cards, we may be in the dark more now than ever.

Continue reading "Confused About Credit Cards?" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 3:52 PM | Permalink

You Might Want to Think Twice About Automatic Credit Card Payments

Automatic credit card payments are becoming more and more a part of our everyday lives. From video rental subscriptions to health supplements orders and web hosting plans, automatic credit card payments are a part of our normal, everyday activities. But are they a good idea?

Continue reading "Are Automatic Credit Card Payments a Good Idea?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 7:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Are No Late Fee Credit Cards Really a Good Idea?

Let’s face it, no one likes paying something if they don’t have to and everyone hates the late fees charged by credit card companies, especially when we have to rely on the postal service to get our credit card payments in on time and then trust that our credit card companies will process those payments in a timely manner. Perhaps that’s why people have taken such an instant liking to no late fee credit cards. But are no late fee credit cards really all they’re cracked up to be?

Continue reading "The Truth about No Late Fee Credit Cards" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 10:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Can Your Credit Card Company Really Change Your Rate?

One minute you’re paying a decent 9.99 percent interest rate to your credit card company and the next minute you get a notice saying that the interest rate is being changed to more than 25 percent. Is this legal? Can your credit card company really change your credit card interest rate without your permission?

Continue reading "Can Your Credit Card Company Just Up and Raise Your Interest Rate?" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Are You Making Wise Credit Card Purchases?

It’s a fact of life, almost all of us use credit cards. The question is, what do we use our credit card for and are the purchases we’re making wise ones? If you pay off your credit card bills each and every month, you have nothing to worry about. But if you find yourself carrying a balance on your credit card, there are some things you probably shouldn’t be charging. Here are some of the most common credit card purchase pitfalls.

Continue reading "What Do You Put on Your Credit Card?" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Credit Card Grace Periods Seem to Be Whittling Away

It used to be that you had 30 days from the date of your credit card statement to pay your credit card bill. Nowadays, that’s no longer the case. Many credit card companies are whittling away at credit card grace periods, leaving consumers in the lurch. It may seem like a common business practice, but the practice of whittling away at credit card grace periods may be more sinister than you think.

Continue reading "Whatever Happened to Credit Card Grace Periods?" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Why Paying Taxes with Your Credit Card May Not Always Be a Good Idea

This year if you don’t have enough money to pay Uncle Sam what you owe him, the IRS is offering you quite a convenient way to get the bill paid. Now, instead of having to pay cold hard cash to the IRS, you can make your tax payment via credit card. But is paying your tax bill with a credit card always a good idea?

Continue reading "Paying the IRS with Your Credit Card?" »

Posted by Max Anderson at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Some Easy Ways to Get Rid of Credit Card Debt

So your credit card debt has reached a point that you wish it hadn’t. It’s time to start taking control of the situation. While it may not be possible to pay your credit card debt off immediately, there are some steps you can take to pay your credit card debt off more quickly than you would by making the minimal monthly payments.

Continue reading "Getting Rid of Credit Card Debt" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 5:11 PM | Permalink

Make Sure You Care For Your Credit Cards Properly

We all know that we need to protect our credit cards from criminals, but how often do we think about protecting our credit cards from normal wear and tear. This recently came to mind when I went to pay with my Discover card and not only could the magnetic strip not be read, but the clerk could barely read the numbers on the front of the card. I guess keeping the credit card in my back pocket so many times finally took its tool on the poor thing. So how can you protect your credit cards to make sure they don’t fall apart before they expire?

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Posted by Max Anderson at 8:52 PM | Permalink

Is a Balance Transfer Always the Answer?

Many people thinking that the introduction of the balance transfer was God’s gift to the credit card world. After all, transferring your credit card balances from one credit card to another to take advantage of introductory rates so you can pay down your balance faster sure sounds like a grand plan. But is it really a good idea to constantly take advantage of balance transfer offers, or is there a drawback to that solution?

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Posted by Max Anderson at 7:57 PM | Permalink

Should You Use Your Credit Card to Fund Your Vacations?

So you want to go on a vacation but you just don’t have the cash at this point in time. You do, however, have plenty of credit on your credit card. Should you use this line of credit to fund your vacation or should you hold off until you have the cash to spare?

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Posted by Jessica Hunter at 6:41 PM | Permalink

What Credit Card Specials Would Appeal to You?

Let’s face it, credit card specials are all over the place. From cash back offers to frequent flyer miles, there are an abundance of credit card specials to go around. The question is, what constitutes a great credit card special and why should a credit card special appeal to you? After all, aren’t they all the same? Actually, no; not all credit card specials are the same. We’ll help you figure out which ones best for you.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 6:13 PM | Permalink

What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Credit Card Bill?

You’ve had a really, really busy month and your head is still spinning. In fact, your schedule looks like a torture chamber for the next few weeks. You know you’re forgetting about something, but you just can’t put your finger on it. Then suddenly you realize -- you forgot to pay your credit card bill. What now?

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Posted by Max Anderson at 3:30 PM | Permalink

What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Credit Card Bill?

You’ve had a really, really busy month and your head is still spinning. In fact, your schedule looks like a torture chamber for the next few weeks. You know you’re forgetting about something, but you just can’t put your finger on it. Then suddenly you realize -- you forgot to pay your credit card bill. What now?

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Posted by Max Anderson at 3:30 PM | Permalink

Understanding the Fair Credit Billing Act

If you wonder why it’s safer to make payments via credit card than it is to make payments via check, a lot of it has to do with the Fair Credit Billing Act. The Fair Credit Billing Act is an Act that applies to open-end credit accounts like your credit cards.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 1:35 PM | Permalink

Surprising Penalty for Making Late Credit Card Payments

Most of us know that we’re going to pay a late fee if we make a late credit card payment. What many of us don’t realize is that the penalty can go far beyond that one-time late fee. In fact, if you’re not careful, you could end up spending a heck of a lot more than just a late fee if you happen to make your credit card payment late.

Continue reading "A Late Fee May Not Be the Only Penalty For Making a Late Payment On Your Credit Card" »

Posted by Jessica Hunter at 5:11 PM | Permalink

How to Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate

If you think you’re paying too much interest to your credit card company, you very well might want to try to change that. There’s nothing that says you can’t try to negotiate a better interest rate. The only thing stopping you is knowing how to do it.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 2:44 PM | Permalink

If You Have To Pay For a Credit Card, It’s Not Legit

Have you ever been asked to pay to receive a credit card? I’m not talking about annual fees or one-time processing fees, I’m talking about being asked to pay hundreds of dollars to receive a credit card. Believe it or not, it happens. In fact, someone tried to pull this one on me.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 10:05 AM | Permalink

Resolving a Credit Card Billing Dispute Doesn’t Have to be a Headache

The mail comes and, lucky you, a credit card statement or two came in. You open your statements and much to your dismay, you notice a credit card billing error. It’s time to file a credit card billing dispute, but who do you turn to and how do you do it? Believe it or not, filing a credit card billing dispute doesn’t have to be a headache. You just need to know what steps to take. That’s where we come in.

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Posted by Jessica Hunter at 8:33 AM | Permalink

Getting Out of Credit Card Debt Isn’t Impossible

In today’s day and age, living beyond a person’s means is second nature. The majority of society is in debt, and charging purchases we can’t afford to pay cash for has become a matter of habit. Are we destined to live in debt, or can we get out of credit card debt and start living within our means again? Believe it or not, it is possible to get out of credit card debt and stay out of credit card debt. It just takes a matter of time, patience and persistence.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 1:34 PM | Permalink

Why Credit Cards Can Save The Day

You find yourself out of work and suddenly you have no income. How are you going to pay for groceries, gas, and the essentials that you need to survive? Some people would take out a home equity loan to make it through the tough spot. Others would borrow from family. However, there’s another option that you might want to consider.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 6:22 PM | Permalink

Why a Home Equity Loan isn’t Always the Best Option When Paying off Credit Cards.

You’re deeper in debt than you ever meant to be and you’re looking for ways to lower your credit card payments. You come across an advertisement offering you a home equity loan and you realize you can use the equity in your home to pay off your credit card debt. The question is, is using a home equity loan to pay off your credit cards the right solution?

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Posted by Jessica Hunter at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

How to Properly Close Credit Card Accounts

It’s important to understand that you should never have more credit card accounts than you can handle. Because of this, you might find yourself in the situation of having to close a credit card account at one time or another. However, just closing your credit card accounts at random just won’t do. There are some things you should know first.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 2:15 PM | Permalink

Why You Shouldn’t Always Turn to Store Credit Cards for Your Credit Needs

You’re standing in line at the checkout of your favorite retail store when the sales clerk kindly informs you that you could save 10 percent today by opening a new store credit card. Ten percent can add up to a lot of money, so you consider the deal. But should you really take it?

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Posted by Jessica Hunter at 12:46 PM | Permalink

How to Use Your Credit Card Wisely

A credit card is a valuable tool and an excellent resource. However, it can also be a serious detriment if you don’t use your credit card wisely. Following these simple tips can help you stay on the right track when it comes to credit card spending.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 4:25 PM | Permalink

Will You Be Affected By Foreign Transaction Fees?

Nowadays, many Visa and MasterCard issuers are choosing to charge foreign transaction fees for purchases that are made outside of the United States. The question is, why would credit card companies choose to charge this fee and how will it affect you? We’ve got the answers.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Minimum Monthly Payments May Not Be the Best Bet

So you’re deep in credit card debt, but that’s okay because you can still make your minimum monthly payment, right? Wrong. Making your minimum monthly payment isn’t going to do much good to get you out of credit card debt. In fact, depending on how much debt you’re in, making only your minimum monthly payments may extend your debt for decades, causing you to spend thousands more than what you originally charged. Is that really what you want to do?

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Posted by Jessica Hunter at 6:35 PM | Permalink

How to Use Credit Cards to Your Advantage

Credit cards are a valuable tool when used properly. When used improperly they can lead to financial destruction, but used properly they can lead to financial stability and even gain. Here’s some information on when it’s great to use credit cards.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 11:48 AM | Permalink

What To Expect If You’re a First Time Credit Card Applicant

Being a first time credit card applicant can be a big headache. If you’re not a college student, most credit card companies will shy away from your credit card application and if you have even just minor blemishes on your credit history (such as medical bills, etc), the task of getting a first time credit card can be even harder to accomplish. So what’s a consumer to do?

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Posted by Max Anderson at 11:45 AM | Permalink

How You Plan to Pay Your Credit Cards Will Affect Which Credit Card You Should Get.

When it comes to choosing a credit card, you need to ask yourself one initial question before you ask any others. That question is, how do you plan to pay your credit card off each month. Wonder why it matters? Read on.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 1:03 PM | Permalink

Credit Card Scams are Haunting the Web

There are a few common credit card scams that are haunting the web. If you don’t read the following, you may just fall prey to one of them.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 2:49 PM | Permalink

What Are the Key Questions To Ask When Applying for a Credit Card?

So you want to apply for a credit card, but you’re not sure which questions to ask? Worry not. We’ve got the key questions you want to ask when applying for any credit card, and the answers you should be looking for.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 6:46 PM | Permalink

A Guide Through the Confusing Credit Card Maze

In today’s day and age, credit cards come in an array of colors, shapes and sizes -- literally. You can get a credit card small enough to clip to your keychain or a credit card that’s see through. You can even get a credit card with your picture on it. But let’s look a little deeper at the differences between credit cards so we can figure out which credit cards are right for you.

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Posted by Jessica Hunter at 3:23 PM | Permalink

Have You Opted for Online Billing and Payments Yet?

If you’re one of those people whose mail tends to come a little late or one of those people who never seem to get their credit card statement in time to mail the payment by the due date, you might want to consider online billing and payments.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 12:19 PM | Permalink

Is Your Credit Card Spending Out of Control?

It’s really easy to get caught in a credit card trap. You make a few purchases thinking it’s only costing you a few dollars each month, then you make a few more purchases, and a few more, and before you know it you can’t afford the minimum monthly payments on your credit cards anymore. Your credit card spending is out of control. What do you do? Where can you turn?

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Posted by Max Anderson at 4:08 PM | Permalink

Three Credit Tips that Will Help You Qualify for the Credit Card You Want

So you want a credit card but you don’t qualify for one. Don’t let it get you down. There are things you can do that will improve your credit and help you qualify for the credit card you deserve. Just follow these three credit tips and you’ll be well on your way to getting a credit card.

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Posted by Jessica Hunter at 4:10 PM | Permalink

What’s Okay to Charge and what’s Not If You’re Trying to Cut Back on Charging

So you want to cut back on charging but you’re not ready to shred those credit cards just yet. So what’s okay to charge and what’s not when you’re trying to cut back on your credit card bills? Let me give you the breakdown.

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Posted by Max Anderson at 3:26 PM | Permalink

What to Do If Your Credit Card Company Isn’t Offering Enough of a Grace Period.

You receive a credit card statement in the mail and you notice that the payment is due in two or three days. If you don’t pay on time, your interest rate is going to increase drastically but you don’t even have time to put the payment in the mail. What do you do?

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Posted by Max Anderson at 11:15 AM | Permalink

Credit Card Tips to Live By

So you’ve gotten your first credit card and you’re ready to start charging. Before you break that card in, read our credit card tips to make sure you really are ready to start using that credit card privilege you’ve been given.

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Posted by Jessica Hunter at 3:39 PM | Permalink

Did you know you could get an instant credit card upon approval of your credit card application?

Gone are the days when you had to wait weeks for your credit card application to be approved and your brand new credit card to arrive. Welcome to the day and age where credit card applications are instantaneous and you can even get an instant credit card upon approval. Don’t believe it? It’s true!

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Posted by Jessica Hunter at 1:00 PM | Permalink