It might not make sense to most of us. Even though interest rates on home mortgages have fallen to historic lows, and the interest rates we earn on our savings accounts and CDs are near 0%, interest rates on credit cards seem to be rising. Why exactly is this happening?
Not surprisingly, there are a number of different opinions, and doesn’t necessarily appear to be any single element that’s leading to the credit card rate increases. It’s probable that rising credit card rates are due to a number of different factors, although it’s difficult to know exactly how much each... Articles Tagged ‘credit card advice’
Why Are Credit Card Interest Rates Rising?
It might not make sense to most of us. Even though interest rates on home mortgages have fallen to historic lows, and the interest rates we earn on our savings accounts and CDs are near 0%, interest rates on credit cards seem to be rising. Why exactly is this happening?
Not surprisingly, there are a number of different opinions, and doesn’t necessarily appear to be any single element that’s leading to the credit card rate increases. It’s probable that rising credit card rates are due to a number of different factors, although it’s difficult to know exactly how much each...
Friday, May 25th, 2012
It might not make sense to most of us. Even though interest rates on home mortgages have fallen to historic lows, and the interest rates we earn on our savings accounts and CDs are near 0%, interest rates on credit cards seem to be rising. Why exactly is this happening?
Not surprisingly, there are a number of different opinions, and doesn’t necessarily appear to be any single element that’s leading to the credit card rate increases. It’s probable that rising credit card rates are due to a number of different factors, although it’s difficult to know exactly how much each... How to Do a Better Job at Managing Credit Scores
Perhaps more than any other single number, your credit score has a significant impact on your financial health. With a better credit score you’ll be able to pay a lower interest rate on your credit cards, car loan and home mortgage loan. On the other hand, if your credit score is too low you might not be able to get certain types of loans at all. It’s therefore vitally important that you manage your credit score and keep your number high.
In order to do a better job of managing your credit score, you’ll need to be proactive. If you...
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
Perhaps more than any other single number, your credit score has a significant impact on your financial health. With a better credit score you’ll be able to pay a lower interest rate on your credit cards, car loan and home mortgage loan. On the other hand, if your credit score is too low you might not be able to get certain types of loans at all. It’s therefore vitally important that you manage your credit score and keep your number high.
In order to do a better job of managing your credit score, you’ll need to be proactive. If you... Stick to a Plan of Reducing Credit Card Debt
One of the biggest hurdles that many individuals and families face on the path to financial independence is digging out from credit card debt. It doesn’t take long for the balances on multiple credit cards to climb to the point where just the interest charges can amount to several hundred dollars per month. When the first few hundred dollars you pay each month do nothing to reduce your indebtedness, it’s time to come up with a plan to reduce that credit card debt.
While it’s generally not difficult to come up with a plan to lower the credit card balances,...
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
One of the biggest hurdles that many individuals and families face on the path to financial independence is digging out from credit card debt. It doesn’t take long for the balances on multiple credit cards to climb to the point where just the interest charges can amount to several hundred dollars per month. When the first few hundred dollars you pay each month do nothing to reduce your indebtedness, it’s time to come up with a plan to reduce that credit card debt.
While it’s generally not difficult to come up with a plan to lower the credit card balances,... Advice on How to Maximize the Benefits of a Rewards Credit Card
In order to distinguish themselves from one another, many credit card companies have taken to offering rewards programs to their customers. These programs can take different forms, ranging from programs that allow users to accumulate points that they can use to redeem for products, airline tickets or even cash. Perhaps you already have or use a credit card that includes a rewards program.
If they’re used properly, credit card rewards programs can be a great way to get some extra value out of your credit card.
Here is some credit card advice and information to help you maximize what you...
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
In order to distinguish themselves from one another, many credit card companies have taken to offering rewards programs to their customers. These programs can take different forms, ranging from programs that allow users to accumulate points that they can use to redeem for products, airline tickets or even cash. Perhaps you already have or use a credit card that includes a rewards program.
If they’re used properly, credit card rewards programs can be a great way to get some extra value out of your credit card.
Here is some credit card advice and information to help you maximize what you... How to Get a Student Their First Credit Card?
As your student begins his or her new life on campus, they’ll need to be much more responsible for their own life as compared to when they were still living at home. Many of these new responsibilities will include taking care of themselves and making sure that they satisfy their academic obligations. But another aspect of this new independence will be financial.
Even students who live in dorms need to be able to manage the financial components of their lives. Since much of adult life involves the use of credit cards (even if it’s just for convenience or financial tracking...
Monday, April 23rd, 2012
As your student begins his or her new life on campus, they’ll need to be much more responsible for their own life as compared to when they were still living at home. Many of these new responsibilities will include taking care of themselves and making sure that they satisfy their academic obligations. But another aspect of this new independence will be financial.
Even students who live in dorms need to be able to manage the financial components of their lives. Since much of adult life involves the use of credit cards (even if it’s just for convenience or financial tracking... Opening a New Credit Card for the Sign-up Bonus
Thursday, April 5th, 2012
Many of us receive offers in the mail every week to open up new credit card accounts. Sometimes these offers come with a bonus for signing up for a new account. Often this bonus is a preferable interest rate (potentially even a 0% rate) for any existing credit card balances that you transfer into the new account. For credit cards that have a rewards program, a common sign-up bonus is to award a fixed number of miles or points for opening a new account.
The prospect of a low or 0% interest rate (or getting thousands of points or miles...
Advice on Using a Windfall to Pay Off Credit Card Debt
Not all unexpected financial developments are bad things. For example, you may find yourself the recipient of a cash windfall. A windfall can come from a number of different sources, including larger than expected tax refunds, inheritances or even winning a contest or sweepstakes.
Since a windfall is not money that you planned on receiving, the amount won’t already have a place within your budget. This means that you have options for what to do with the money. You could spend it all on indulgences, of course, but there are more productive uses that you should consider first. One great...
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
Not all unexpected financial developments are bad things. For example, you may find yourself the recipient of a cash windfall. A windfall can come from a number of different sources, including larger than expected tax refunds, inheritances or even winning a contest or sweepstakes.
Since a windfall is not money that you planned on receiving, the amount won’t already have a place within your budget. This means that you have options for what to do with the money. You could spend it all on indulgences, of course, but there are more productive uses that you should consider first. One great... How to Get a Credit Card if You Have a Low FICO Score
Many people view having a credit card as a requirement in order to function in today’s consumer economy. For example, you need a credit card to rent a car, shop online or reserve a hotel room (or be prepared for significant hassles and headaches if you try to do any of those things without a credit card).
But what do you do if you have a low FICO score? With a bad credit rating it can seem like it’s virtually impossible to get a credit card. While it’s not impossible, it will take some work and creativity on your part.
Here...
Monday, March 19th, 2012
Many people view having a credit card as a requirement in order to function in today’s consumer economy. For example, you need a credit card to rent a car, shop online or reserve a hotel room (or be prepared for significant hassles and headaches if you try to do any of those things without a credit card).
But what do you do if you have a low FICO score? With a bad credit rating it can seem like it’s virtually impossible to get a credit card. While it’s not impossible, it will take some work and creativity on your part.
Here... What Should You Do With Your Gift Cards?
If you’re like most people, then there’s a good chance you received at least a few gift cards during the recent Christmas and holiday gift giving seasons. Each year it seems that gift cards are an increasingly popular option for people who may be pressed for time, aren’t sure what to give as gifts or simply want to let the recipient choose a gift themselves.
So now that you have a small stack of gift cards, what do you do with them? If the gift cards are for stores that you don’t normally shop at, for example, you may feel...
Monday, March 12th, 2012
If you’re like most people, then there’s a good chance you received at least a few gift cards during the recent Christmas and holiday gift giving seasons. Each year it seems that gift cards are an increasingly popular option for people who may be pressed for time, aren’t sure what to give as gifts or simply want to let the recipient choose a gift themselves.
So now that you have a small stack of gift cards, what do you do with them? If the gift cards are for stores that you don’t normally shop at, for example, you may feel... Advice on How to Handle Missing a Credit Card Payment
With online banking and bill pay services, it’s become easier than ever to pay bills without having to write a single check or address a single envelope. But sometimes this convenience has a downside. Some people have gotten out of the once common ritual of sitting down at the kitchen table, checkbook in hand, to pay the monthly bills – and this can lead to missing a payment.
Missing any bill payment is a bad thing, of course, but missing a credit card payment can be especially problematic. A single missed payment could result in your credit card interest rate...
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012
With online banking and bill pay services, it’s become easier than ever to pay bills without having to write a single check or address a single envelope. But sometimes this convenience has a downside. Some people have gotten out of the once common ritual of sitting down at the kitchen table, checkbook in hand, to pay the monthly bills – and this can lead to missing a payment.
Missing any bill payment is a bad thing, of course, but missing a credit card payment can be especially problematic. A single missed payment could result in your credit card interest rate... 
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