David Bakke writes about finance topics on Money Crashers, a blog focused on educating readers about important topics like budgeting, living frugally, saving for retirement, investing, and getting the most out of life.
Having a solid and healthy credit score is the first layer of a solid financial foundation....
In principle, a credit card is quite a simple idea: you can spend money up front, then repay it over a period of time. The sooner you repay the money you’ve borrowed, in general, the less interest you’ll pay on it.
In recent years, though, we’ve seen more and more specialized cards...
We live in a world where bad deeds often go unpunished. However, in the MasterCard Universe (Visa, Discover and American Express, too), cardholders deemed guilty of irresponsible repayment behavior by their card issuer are penalized – usually heavily – by a spike in their APR. “The best way to...
If your mailbox is stuffed full of credit card offers, you may be contemplating opening one of them up. After sifting through all the junk credit offers, you might actually find a diamond in the rough. Because of the economy, credit card issuers are going to town when it comes to credit card marketing...
Across the globe, 85% of retail transactions currently are made by means of cash or check, reports American Banker website. MasterCard sees that number as an opportunity, according to President and Chief Executive Ajay Banga, as it provides a big audience for them to target.
MasterCard wants to promote...
Jerry and Sue Bailey, residents of Jackson, MI, accomplished the tremendous feat of paying off 92 thousand dollars worth of credit card debt. This debt they had begun amassing in 1992 and lasted all the way until 2005. Their debts spanned over 17 different credit cards. On these cards, they charged the...
The American economy is all topsy-turvy right now. Just this week, the Federal Reserve announced that it will keep long-term interest rates at a record low. Short term rates are already at record lows and they will continue to stay that way until the middle of 2013. That is, if the Fed has their way.
Contrary...
The The Platinum Card® from American Express is a card that caters to affluent customers who enjoy the finer things and are looking for travel benefits and perks. It has a steep $450 annual fee, but in return, it offers an impressive array of benefits.
There is no APR with this card as the balance...
In an effort to make themselves stand out from the slew of credit card offers being sent out daily that are designed to entice creditworthy consumers into applying for new lines of credit, some card issuers are plumping up the perks associated with their particular brand of plastic.
However, those hunting...
The Visa Black Card is a unique card made of carbon, not plastic, that touts impressive benefits for its members, but also carries hefty fees. This card is available for a limited number of members (1% of the American population) and may be a good fit for those who travel frequently and are looking...
The days of disposable debit card numbers are now done for Discover’s customers. The program called “Secure Online Account Numbers” and enabled customers to pick a unique credit card number for doing transactions safely online.
For example, if a customer didn’t feel comfortable putting their...
If you are drowning in debt, shark-like behavior on the behalf of collection agencies can be intimidating at its very best. If you feel like fresh chum for predatory creditors keep in mind that even if you owe money, you are entitled to fair and respectful treatment by those who have been dispatched...
Many people love shopping at Costco because of the wide variety of items available including their organic items offered at a reasonable price and their store brand quality products, Kirkland. However, Costco can be inconvenient because they only take cash or Costco gift cards. The one exception...
One silver lining to the black cloud that’s overshadowing the entire nation in the form of the economic crisis is that more and more Americans are making an effort to reign in frivolous personal spending and pay down outstanding debts.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind for anyone committed to coping...
It might not be the first big thought that enters a job seeker’s mind, when checking out employment ads and scoping around websites such as Monster or Craigslist. But credit cards can come as a great boon when searching for work.
If you measure the other factors involved- travel costs, a spanking new...
In an era of non-stop negative news circling and pertaining to the economy, there is at least one very positive light shining through. And that light is the noted recent trend of the American consumer, quickly paying off their credit card debt, a sensitive topic in the past.
The renowned credit bureau...
