All Posts Tagged With: "credit cards"
The CARD Act and Credit Cardholder Rights
Credit card companies have long been the source of consumer complaints regarding excessive and unreasonable fees and penalties. In addition, for many years, credit card users found themselves dealing with unreasonable, and often times, downright rude customer service. The downturn in the economy triggered even more aggressive behavior and antics from the credit card companies. [...]
How to Choose a Credit Card
Competition between different credit card companies is fierce, and they will compete with one another to attract new cardholders through introductory offers, rewards programs, and cardholder perks. The offers from credit cards are tempting, but none of these often temporary programs should be the reason you choose a credit card over the others. Here are [...]
How to Utilize Credit Cards to Boost Credit Score
Credit scores are a very important three-digit number that essentially reflects your financial stability. Without a good credit score, you can expect to pay higher rates for basic services and risk being turned down for credit cards and other financing. One way to boost credit scores and improve your credit history is to utilize a [...]
Customer Defaults Decline Again for Bank of America (NYSE: BAC)
Customer payments for Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) credit cards have become more steady throughout the month of February. The bank said credit card debt write-offs were down from the month previous. The 2011 reports for February are the lowest numbers the bank has seen since the same month of 2009. Generally, credit card companies [...]
Citi (NYSE: C) to Launch Updated Credit Card
Citibank (NYSE: C)is a bank in the vanguard with credit card technology. A number of Citi cardholders, will be given access to an updated credit card during November 2010. This is the beginning of a marketing promotion to provide bank credit card holders with a more flexible service. Customer feedback from this selected group will [...]
Visa (NYSE: V) and MasterCard (NYSE: MA) Hurt By Bill Restricting Debit Card Fees
On May 13, the U.S. Senate approved a bill that allows merchants to sets limits on debit card transactions. So what does this mean to the average American? It means some businesses may put either a maximum or minimum limit on purchases involving credit card or debit card purchases. There wasn’t any such law before, [...]
Credit Card Changes Go Into Effect Today
For years consumers have complained about some underhanded tactics used by credit card companies which make it almost impossible to pay off high debt balances. Prior to the enactment of The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009, credit card companies operated in a largely unregulated industry. In addition to the changes [...]
New Regulations for Gift Card Holders
With the holiday shopping season almost in full swing, the Federal Reserve is set to propose new regulations for gift cards, a $50 billion dollar industry. Many of the gift-card issuing companies have applied fees and imposed requirements that essentially cost the consumer additional money without making a single purchase. For instance, many companies still [...]
Consumers Choose Cash Over Credit
Starting in February of 2010 credit card companies will no longer be allowed to suddenly increase penalty fees and interest rates and as a result they are taking advantage of what little time is left. Not a good thing for the consumer. Lawmakers have been sending letters to the credit card companies asking them to [...]
Tips for Using Your Credit Cards Wisely for Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Despite an economy that’s still struggling, the majority of Americans are still planning to use their credit cards during the holiday shopping season – starting with Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In a survey conducted by MarketLive and the E-Tailing Group released on October 19th, it was found that more than half of consumers surveyed [...]
Plastic Only – the Best Ways to Use Credit Cards
Believe it or not there are ways that using a credit card provides an edge over other forms of payment. And it does not have anything to do with the number of merchants who offer credit card payments or how easy it is to perform. Rather, these are advantages that only a credit card can [...]
The Credit Ratings Credit Card Companies Prefer You Did Not Know
We are all too familiar with our credit score (or FICO score) which is the number from 300 to 850 which determines our overall credit risk. But, did you know that you are scored on far more things that just this number? And, not only that, you are profiled in ways you cannot imagine in [...]
Cash Advance: Just Say No
With times being tight for many consumers, it can be easy to run out of money before the next payday. The phrase “living paycheck to paycheck” doesn’t seem to even apply for many of us anymore because the money just isn’t stretching. People need cash and when they do, it can create a somewhat desperate [...]
Playing the Credit Card Balance Transfer Game
With the majority of credit card companies raising their rates for card holder’s, you could very well find yourself paying more interest on your card balances than you had originally planned on. The good news is you don’t have to take a higher interest rate as the answer! In fact, as long as you have [...]
A Funny Carnival of Personal Finance Has Been Published (#175)
Budgets are Sexy offers up this week’s personal finance carnival in a funny way! Lots of great articles and tips included, so be sure to head over and check it out (and don’t miss the jokes!) Here are my favorites from the week: Debt Freedom Fighter from Discover Debt Freedom presents 3 Indicators that a [...]
Jar a Few Bucks: Why Cash is a Must for Emergencies
With the spotlight on numerous hurricanes in the last few weeks and the recent anniversary of the terrorist attacks, it’s a good time to be reminded of the simple things in life that may sometimes be overshadowed by the expansion of technology. Those who live in flood-tornado-hurricane-wildfire prone areas of the nation may be a [...]
Make Sense to Charge our Rent?
As it seems to be the trend just about anywhere else, landlords and property managers are beginning to follow suit b allowing their tenants to pay rent with plastic. Landlords have been teaming up largely with third party service providers to make paying rent online with a credit card a viable option. While there are [...]
Don’t Fall Victim to Credit Card Scam Artists
Consumers are working hard to clear up credit card debt and find ways to improve their credit scores during these tough economic times. Many consumers are trading in traditional credit cards and opting instead to use only debit cards for their purchases to finally get some real debt relief. Another way is by getting prepaid [...]
Save For Later or Pay it Off Now?
One of the most frequently asked finance questions people have is whether they should be paying off their debts or saving more towards their retirement. There really isn’t a one-size fits all solution that will work in every situation, but there are some things to consider to help you decide whether it makes more sense [...]
Don’t Pay More for What You Owe
If you have credit cards with balances, you’re paying more for the items you’ve purchased than they are actually worth. Even credit cards with “reasonable” interest rates will cost you a fortune over time, if you’re only paying your minimum amount month after month, and carrying your balance forward. If it’s not possible for you [...]
Simplify Your Financial Record Keeping With a Credit Card
Despite the bad reputation credit cards have earned over the years, they really do offer numerous benefits when they’re used correctly. With financial discipline, a credit card can simplify your financial record keeping and earn you some additional rewards- here’s how: Select a credit card that offers rewards that you’ll really use. If you travel [...]
21 Ways to Stop Identity Theft
The United States Post Office released a brochure this month on “Fighting Back Against Identity Theft.” According to the Post Office, a recent Federal Trade Commission survey reported that 2% of identity theft was connected to the mail. They list twelve ways that anyone can protect themselves from identity theft, but there are many more [...]
Protect Your Small Business from Embezzling Bookkeepers Part 2: Credit Cards and Identity Theft
Having been in the bookkeeping and retail business for more then ten years, I have seen a lot of credit card theft on both sides of the Office Door. I have seen credit cards pull a disappearing act, employees buy unauthorized items on company credit, and tens of thousands of dollars charged within a thirty-day [...]
Keep Your Money to Yourself Part 3: Supplement Your Income
When trying to increase your cash flow and thereby keep your money to yourself, it is important to find ways that can supplement your income without having to spend too much time or effort on your part. Not only does this help ease the burden in troubled times, but it is very satisfying to watch [...]
Keep Your Money for Yourself – Part 2: Get the Best Deals
Finding the best deals does not need to be difficult. For some like me (the compulsive shopper), shopping can be an addiction. By making wise money choices, you give yourself the opportunity to make wise-money investments. This second article in a four-part series offers nine tips that will help you find the best deals on [...]
You Can Prepay Your Way to a Better Credit Score
It’s unfortunately very easy to get into debt that’s bigger than causes larger monthly payments than you’re able to pay. Before you know it, you can be left with a damaged credit history and a lower-than-average credit score that results in difficulty in getting additional credit in the future. Credit scores and your credit history [...]
20 FREE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PUT MONEY IN YOUR POCKET
Although these tips are written for business owners, many of these tips can be used for everyday people as well to save and make money. They can be done immediately, and over the course of a month or a year, you will find more money in your bank account. 1) Use a rewards credit card. [...]
I agree. If a local business is the one offering the sale price I will buy it from them. ...
We are retired and live on a grocery budget of $200 a month for 2 people in the Midwest. That ...