Each year it seems that we do more and more of our shopping with credit cards. It’s hard to argue against the convenience of swiping a credit card over writing a check at (or making sure that you bring enough cash to) the grocery store. And it’s very difficult to try to purchase anything from an online merchant by a method other than a credit card. But unlike those other methods of payment, credit cards are subject to more problems and vulnerabilities when it comes to unknown or unauthorized charges showing up on your account. If you think that there’s...

Read More »

Over the past few years most people have realized the dangers of using a credit card for purchases. In addition to identity theft, there’s the very real risk of spending too much and going into debt. However, when traveling, whether abroad or locally, using your credit card offers a number of benefits. These benefits range from safety to saving money. Traveling can be a harrowing experience or it can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. A credit card can make all the difference. Here is some advice on the benefits of using your credit card when traveling.

Rewards. Frequent flyer...

Read More »

 Loading ...

Even if you don’t know the exact numbers off the top of your head, you probably know that paying interest and fees to your credit card companies can really add up. We practically accept it as a fact of life that we’re going to have to pay something for the convenience of our credit cards. But did you know that if you manage your account properly, you can actually make money from your credit cards? The concepts behind making money from your credit cards are quite straightforward. You need to minimize the expenses you pay, and at...

Read More »

Even if you wanted to get rid of all your credit cards and never use them again, it would be a hard thing to do. It would be next to impossible to travel conveniently without one – just try to rent a car or a hotel room without a credit card, and see what happens if you walk up to an airline ticket counter and try to buy a ticket with cash. Since you probably want (or need) to keep using your credit cards, make sure you’re doing so in the most effective and efficient ways possible....

Read More »

It seems like today everyone wants to separate you from your hard-earned money. One way that they attempt to do that is through credit card scams. Here is some advice to avoid becoming a victim of a credit card scam. Credit cards are an easy way to pay for items and also to build up your credit. Banks issue debit cards with Visa and MasterCard logos so that you can make purchases directly from your checking account at stores and online. But with this convenience comes a level of responsibility – the most important thing you can do is...

Read More »

If you think you have been bombarded with credit card offers throughout year, wait until the holiday season rolls around. Holidays bring more credit card offers than at any other time of the year. However, it doesn’t mean that it’s to your benefit. When you receive a credit card application in the mail, it may seem tempting. An offer of 0% APR for six months, combined with several blank checks which you can use for purchases or consolidation of other debts may be irresistible, but your best course of action would be to shred the entire document. If you...

Read More »

Having your possessions stolen is a harrowing experience. Theft obviously deprives you of property, but perhaps even worse, it shakes your confidence in your fellow human being. You may experience such emotions as fear, anger and anxiety. When someone steals a material possession, at least we usually know fairly quickly that it's gone. But when someone steals one's identity, it may go undetected for weeks, months or even years. By the time you realize what has happened, your life may be turned upside down. Picking up the pieces is a long and frustrating process, and it's possible that you may never...

Read More »

Having access to credit can help us get the things we need and want. In addition to borrowing money for purchasing a home we can use it to buy everything from vacations to groceries. And increasingly, our ability to rent an apartment or get a new job hinges on our credit. Information about or credit is maintained by credit reporting agencies, also known as credit bureaus. There are three agencies that keep track of everyone's credit: Experian TransUnion and Equifax. Lenders use the information provided by these bureaus to determine whether or not they are willing to lend to you. What Kind...

Read More »

"No payments for twelve months" screams the ad for that great-looking living room you've been eyeing. If that's the case, you figure, then why not furnish the rest of your home while you're at it? After all, you can enjoy your new furniture for a year without paying a dime. But before you sign the sales agreement, take a moment to look at the fine print. When you see the interest rate, you may do some screaming of your own. Rates of 22% and even more are becoming increasingly common in "no money up front" deals. The same holds true...

Read More »

Debit cards are a good choice if managing money and your credit is a problem for you. Debit cards are linked to your checking account. You can use them as credit cards if they contain a Visa or MasterCard logo on them. They don’t incur annual fees or interest charges like a credit card does because they use the money in your checking account to make payments. With that said, are debit cards as good a choice as they seem? Debit cards teach you to manage money if you had trouble in the past with credit cards....

Read More »