"Credit Card Kiosks" On College Campuses
Students entering their freshmen year of college are typically starting a new chapter in their lives, filled with hundreds of first-time experiences and opportunities. For many, it's the first time they've lived on their own. For some, it may also be the first time they had to do much for themselves, from laundry to planning their own meals. For all college students, the temptation to sign on the dotted line for various credit card offers can be too much to overcome!
As the summer fades into...
Advantages Of Bankruptcy
Consumers who are considering filing bankruptcy are faced with a lot of questions and are often not sure what the advantages could be- if any. Besides the obvious advantage of not having the debt that hangs over their head everyday, are their any other advantages of potentially damaging your credit report for 7 to 10 years by filing bankruptcy?
There are many different aspects to consider before making a final decision. There are always options, but choosing the right option is not always...
Affinity Credit Cards
For about twenty years, banks and financial institutions have figured out that appealing to people's hearts is the way to get them to open their wallets. Affinity credit cards have a charity logo as well as the issuer's logo; each time the card is used to make a payment, balance transfer or withdraw cash from an ATM, the bank donates a percentage of the amount of the transaction to the charity.
Will You Need Donations After Using a Charity Credit Card?
The concept of the affinity credit...
Another Way To Pay For School Loans
Most people aren't concerned with the amount of money they borrow in order to go to college- at least, not while they're still in college and avoiding payments by deferring them until after graduation. Students are taught to believe that going to college will result in higher paying jobs, and therefore- paying off the loans required to get that higher education will not only be "easy to pay off", but well worth the investment, no matter how much that investment ends up being. When graduation...
Are 0% Balance Transfer Offers Really Free?
Paying off credit card debt with 0% interest is a dream come true which is exactly why a large number of credit card companies offer the promotions. They know it will attract new customers who have debt with other credit card companies to transfer that debt to their cards. But where is the value to the company offer the credit card balance transfer offer; if they let you repay that debt with 0% interest?
Whenever you see credit card promotions that sound like they're going to be a good deal...
Beginning Investing: Without Much To Invest!
Is your list of things you wish you could do, but can't afford to do, growing longer? Many people understand the value of investing, and the importance of investing in order to secure their futures, but they don't have much available money that can be used for investing. These people might believe that they are not able to start investing and instead, continue to struggle with the daily living expenses and no plan for their financial future.
There are actually numerous ways that people who...
Bury The Debt Monster: Part One
In this series of articles, you will be able to follow along at your own pace as you work to bury the debt monster and regain complete financial control. Whether you were like a child in a candy store or you simply spent a little more than you made every month over a long period of time, your debt can be crippling- and effect all other aspects of your life. Use this series of articles to turn it all around!
Lesson One: Opening Your Eyes
Many people don't know how much debt they have, and...
Certificates Of Deposit (CD's)
Certificates of Deposit, commonly referred to as CD's, are a cross between an "investment" and a savings account. CD's have federal deposit insurance up to $100,000- which is what sets it apart from the investment world, but they have much higher interest rates than the traditional savings account.
A certificate of deposit allows you to invest a specific amount of money over a specific period of time. There are certificate of deposits for as short as one year, for five years, or longer terms....
Choose A Credit Card Based On Its Terms And Conditions
Almost everybody receives numerous credit card offer letters in their mailboxes at least once a week
if not every single day. The envelopes usually contain some sort of wording like, "This is the last chance!" or, "Offer Expires Soon!"
With so many pieces of mail arriving on a frequent basis, all written with similar "rush" tones, it's hard to figure out which one is really a genuinely good offer. It can be tough to compare the differences between potential credit card accounts because they...
Choosing A Debt Couseling Program
If you are an individual that is having trouble finding relief from your debts and you feel there are not other options, you should look into getting help from a debt counseling program. A debt counseling program is designed to help individuals to get caught up on their debt and to also teach you how to avoid debt problems in the future. There are many programs; some legit and some are not legit. There are important keys and information that should be researched before choosing the debt...
Choosing Cash Back Credit Cards
Many merchants and large department stores offer their customers credit cards with a cash back option, hoping that the credit cards will entice their customers to do more of their shopping in their particular store, and charge their purchases with the credit card in order to receive the cash back reward instead of making purchases with cash. The two most common forms of cash back programs will either provide cardholders with a credit to their credit card balance when a purchase is made using...
Contact-Less Payment With Credit Cards?
An embedded radio chip in credit cards could change the way we use our plastic friends when making purchases in retail establishments. The magnetic strips weve become accustomed to on the backs of our credit cards are sharing the small surface area with something called radio frequency identification, otherwise known as RFID, and may someday make swiping credit cards a thing of the past. The RFID system would let credit card users hold their card within an inch or two of the card reader...
Convection vs. Conventional Ovens... What's The Difference?
If you are in the market for a new oven and youve already begun shopping for one, youve probably noticed that there are a few different types. Two of the most popular oven types are conventional and convection, and many newer ovens have the option of cooking food in either fashion depending on the set mode. The difference in these two types of ovens is the way in which the heat in the oven is dispersed during the cooking process.
Convection ovens
A convection oven uses a fan which is...
Credit Card Options For Minors
If you're like a lot of parents, your first thought upon reading this title was, "Are you crazy? Why would a child need a credit card?" But believe it or not, the reasons extend well beyond the shopping mall.
Credit cards are handy for children traveling abroad or even locally with school or a youth group. They won't be renting cars, but they will be eating and almost every fast food chain now accepts them. It's also something your child can keep handy just for emergencies. There are plenty...
Credit Card Theft Hurts Retailers And Credit Card Consumers
Thanks to the zero liability policy offered by most credit card issuers, if your credit card is stolen you're typically only liable for a very small portion of the unauthorized purchases- if any. Even if a thief charges thousands of dollars on your credit card, a zero liability policy means you don't pay for it.
You're not the only one affected by your stolen credit card, though. The retailers who accepted the stolen credit card (not knowing it was stolen, of course) lose price of the...
Credit Card Usage Explained
How often have you seen someone going through their wallet searching for a credit card in the checkout line- and were shocked by the number of cards they had in their wallet? Credit cards can be used as a form of identification when applying for a major purchase, or when renting a car; and they can be used for convenient purchases that you wont have to pay for until a month after you buy them.
Except, thats not how it usually happens. Typically, people who have an abundance of credit cards...
Credit Cards And Personal Budgeting
When you apply for and receive a credit card, you will want to take the time to create a detailed budget for your familys finances. Without a budget, and without carefully planning the credit card expenses, you could fall into the credit trap that many individuals have found themselves in. Swimming in a sea of debt that they have no way of getting out of. Having a credit card is a wonderful way to ensure that you have access to funds in the event of an emergency, or for use when traveling to...
Credit Cards Offers: The Importance Of Comparison
Each day, thousands of Americans receive credit card offers in their mailboxes. Was today your day to receive a credit card offer? If you are like many Americans, you may have taken two different steps. Many Americans simply toss their credit card offers in the trashcan, while others start filling them out right away. If your first instinct is to fill out the credit card application, you will want to continue reading on, particularly before taking any further action.
In the United States,...
Credit Monitoring Services
Online credit monitoring services provide consumers with a suite of tools that help you to take proactive action in monitoring your credit report, while protecting your credit and identity information. Monitoring services notify you via email and/or wireless telephone instantly of any changes made to your credit report, which can help you identify fraudulent activity faster, and therefore minimize the negative impact it would have on your credit.
Notifications by Credit Monitoring Services...
Determine Your Credit Card Style
Life styles are what make people unique. The way we wear our hair, the type of clothing and fashion we prefer, and the selection of decorations within our homes all makes up an individuals style. The type of credit card we choose, and how we use it is also part of our individual "financial style".
As people grow from children to adults, they often are seen imitating what they see their parents and close circle of friends doing. Just walk through the halls of any middle school, and listen to...
Different Types Of Cookie Sheets Yield Different Tasting Cookies
Anybody who takes the time to make cookies from scratch obviously wants the cookies to come out perfectly and taste delicious. Mixing ingredients is almost unheard of these days with just about everything being available in pre-mixed or pre-made packages. Most people simply buy a roll of cookie dough, slice it, and stick it in the oven for 15-18 minutes. However, for the individuals out there who still take the time to make their own cookie dough, its important to know the differences between...
Freeze Your Credit!
Several states allow individuals to freeze their credit report- which prohibits credit from being issued in their names. While some states, including Texas, Illinois, Washington and Vermont, only allow credit freezes if the individual has already been the victim of identity theft- other states, including California, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Maine, North Carolina and Colorado.
All states allow individuals to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This means that before issuing...
Gas Stations Experiencing Decreased Profits - Despite Higher Gas Prices
Higher gasoline prices are not only a source of constant frustration for consumer wallets, but convenience stores selling gasoline are also finding the higher gasoline prices a major challenge. Increased gasoline prices do not necessarily mean higher profits for retailers as one might think- instead, the higher gas prices result in higher costs that actually reduce profit margins for gasoline retailers- particularly due to the increase in the amount of credit card fees paid.
As US gas prices...
Getting Good Credit For Your Child
Is your college-age child finding it difficult to get a credit card? Many students face a catch-22 when applying for their first card. Some card companies market their products specifically to students, yet the students often get rejected when they apply. Why? Insufficient credit history. If you don't have credit, many companies won't extend credit to you. Thus, the dreaded credit catch-22.
If you're a parent who is concerned about your child's credit score, take heart. Here are five...
Getting Your First Credit Card
Many times people who have never had a credit card or any other form of credit think that the banks will turn them down for lack of credit history. While this may be true in some cases, no credit does not mean you have "bad credit", and provided you have a steady income, chances are you will be able to obtain a credit card.
In fact, there are many banks that routinely offer Visa or MasterCard credit cards to first time applicants. Everyone must establish a credit history somewhere! If you...
Give The Holiday Season A Little Credit
Falling into the trap of overspending on credit cards during the holiday season is never a good thing as far as your wallet is concerned, but wise spending with credit during your holiday shopping can be really beneficial.
If you already have excessive credit card debt, using credit to make your holiday gift purchases is likely not in your best interest. On the other hand, if youve been careful with your spending and you want to use credit cards for your purchases- here is how you can...
How Debt Consolidation Loans Save Money
A debt consolidation loan makes it possible for an individual to pay off their other debts and make a single payment each month rather than multiple payments to each individual creditor. Basically, you apply for a single debt consolidation loan that can pay for each of your credit card or unsecured debts, use the money to pay the accounts in full, and then make one payment to the new debt consolidation loan.
There are several types of debt consolidation loans. Many college graduates will...
How Do People Get Into Debt?
There are two main ways that people find themselves crushed by the weight of their debts. Some people find that debt hit them like a ton of bricks when they lost their job, or experienced a medical issue that resulted in the inability to work or excessive medical expenses. Other people find that debt has sort of "snuck up" on them, over years of casually using credit cards for little purchases that they just didn't have the cash to pay for; or from taking on large purchases like a new...
How Many Credit Cards Should I Have?
Enticing credit card offers fill the mailboxes of thousands of Americans every day. Accompanied by amazing offers of zero percent interest for six months and no fees for balance transfers, 15% to 20% off your first purchase, discount hotel rates and free movie tickets, the list goes on and on. And on impulse we fall to our knees and sign on the dotted line without thinking about just how much another credit card will affect our families, our credit histories, or our financial futures. Before...
How Much Money Do You Need to Retire?
It's amazing to me how many of us go through our working years without too much thought of how we'll live when we retire. Thing is- we want to be able to stop working at some point and enjoy our retirement years, but the only way to do that is to be financially prepared.
How do you know how much money you will need to retire? Try the following steps:
1. Calculate the cost of your current living expenses. Statistics say that when we retire, we will need around 70% of the income we live on...
How Smart Cardholders Shop During The Holidays
When the holiday season arrives, many of us turn to credit cards as a way to plump up our gift-giving budgets. They can be real life-savers when cash is tight. The secret to using credit cards intelligently for holiday purchases is simple: stick to the rules, and don't overdo it.
Rules? Yes. Before you buy anything, you need to lay down some basic rules for how you will use your credit cards - and be tough enough to stick to those rules.
First, you'll want to set spending limits. Take a...
How To Combat Credit Card Fraud
Mail Order companies and E-Commerce Web operators are constantly faced with a higher chance of incurring a fraudulent credit card transaction than are merchants who operate physical storefronts.
Because neither the Cardholder nor the card is physically present during the transaction, the merchant has no real way of easily determining whether or not they are dealing with a legitimate customer.
According to a report recently issued by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) in...
How to Create a Household Budget
If you don't have an actual budget in place for your household, you may be completely scared whenever you hear someone say they're making a budget. Typically, the people who would most benefit from having a budget are the ones who are most afraid of the idea. If you're living paycheck to paycheck, and feel like you never get caught up financially, a budget is probably the perfect solution. Living without a budget seems easier. You get paid, you pay whatever bills you can afford to pay, you...
Impress Dinner Guests - Make Lattes At Home
With an espresso machine in your kitchen at home, you can make your own lattes to enjoy for yourself- and to impress your dinner guests! Some people look at the price of a home espresso machine and change their minds, but if consider what you typically pay when you buy a latte at your local coffee shop, whether it is a mom & pop shop or a chain (like Dunkin Donuts), youre spending anywhere from $2 to $4 for a latte! Your espresso machine will more than pay for itself in a short time of...
Negative Side Effects Of Debt
For any person, debt is like this illness that never goes away, it persists and persists, never truly getting better until action is taken. The comparison works because like an illness, debt can cause a great deal of suffering and pain to those who have trouble paying their bills each more, or at all. Immunity against debt is non-existent, everyone is susceptible. Debt can go beyond simply the inability to pay bills on time, it can literally cause both physical and mental health problems....
Not All Debt Consolidation Programs Can Rescue Your Financial Situation
While debt consolidation almost always helps people get control over excessive, high interest debts, there are actually instances when it doesn't offer much relief. The general idea of debt consolidation is terrific: smash all of your debts into a single account, and somehow pay less per month and pay it off quicker. When you put it that way, it seems a little too good to be true similar to a get rich quick scheme!
Thankfully, not all debt consolidation is a poor financial move- in fact,...
On-Line Credit Applications Are Fast And Easy
Gone are the days of waiting several days or weeks to be approved for a credit card. While it is still possible to apply for credit via snail mail, it is now more common than ever to apply for any type of credit via the Internet. With the help of the Internet, its possible to apply for and receive approval on a line of credit in a matter of seconds or minutes.
Many wonder whether or not it is safe to apply for credit via the Internet due to the fact that so much personal and confidential...
Plastic Protection
There are many people who still fear buying items or services on the internet because they worry about identity theft or credit card fraud. While these are natural concerns, it's important to note that there have been many advancements in credit card security, and in particular, protection for online purchases. Shopping online is not all that much different from shopping in person as far as security is concerned. Certain cards have special security features intended just for online purchases,...
Plenty Of Garlic Gadgets Available For Garlic Lovers
No kitchen is complete without a few accessories all developed for the sole purpose of extracting the delicious flavor of garlic. No matter if a person is of an Italian descent, an Italian food lover, a professional chef, or a regular person who likes the taste of garlic, the proper garlic tools are necessities. Garlic is a strong smelling and tasting, and specific garlic gadgets make the cloves easier to peel, crush, chop, press, roast, and grate.
Garlic is an ingredient present in many...
Prepaid Credit Cards.
Prepaid credit cards are new twists on the popularity of plastic money. The name says it all. They are cards that function just like credit cards in nearly all aspects, but you have to pay the spending limit upfront. It's like a prepaid phone card you can use to buy anything at all.
There are a lot of benefits to a prepaid credit card, as well as many different applications for the technology. The most obvious benefit is that you can't go over your limit. There is no such thing as over...
Rapid Rescoring Services
It may sound like a scam, but there are legitimate companies who can actually help you remove errors from your credit report or fix omissions within 72 hours. If you've tried to correct the situation on your own, you know it can take weeks, even months before it is actually straightened out- and if you're in the middle of trying to buy a new home or a vehicle, the 72 hours can really help you get the loan as well as the lowest possible interest rates!
How To Use Rapid Rescoring Services...
Removing Negative Items From Credit File
There are attorneys and credit repair "clinics" that claim to be able to remove negative items from your credit file. The service is costly, with some providers charging up to $3,500. It sounds great, in theory, because what's a few thousand dollars for repaired credit? The trouble with this service is consumer's pay out the money and their credit files are not always repaired.
About Your Credit File- What You May Not Know
Every item listed on your credit report must be proven. If a...
Secured Credit Cards
When deciding upon what credit card is the best for you, dont rule out secured credit cards. In fact, many people are finding secured credit cards to be the best option. Some people choose a secured credit card when they have had credit problems in the past, and obtaining a traditional credit card would be difficult if not impossible. Secured credit cards are great options for teaching your teenagers and college students about responsible financial spending. Secured credit cards help control...
Should You Use Credit Monitoring Services?
Credit monitoring services alert individuals to changes to their credit report instantly- either via email, text message on cell phones or by phone calls. Many people use credit monitoring services to help them keep an eye on their credit histories and to increase their ability to recognize a fraudulent activity.
The US Federal Trade Commission estimates that it takes about a year before a consumer notices that they have been victims of identity theft. If you are using a credit monitoring...
Skip The "Skip Payment" Act Of Kindness From Your Credit Card Lenders
The "skip-payment" option is quickly becoming a marketing tool for credit card lenders. It was often available to cardholders who called the credit card company to express concern over making a payment; but now it's become something that's literally offered to cardholders by the credit card lenders themselves.
You may start noticing offers in your mailbox, or even receive a phone call from your credit card company, asking you if you'd like to skip a monthly payment.
Sounds too good to be...
Stop Receiving Credit Card Offers
How many times per week does your mailbox contain an offer for a pre-approved credit card? If you're like most people, you are receiving between two and ten pre-approved credit card offers each and every week! In a time when everything is being made from recycled materials in an effort to help save our environments from excessive waste products that are filling up our landfills and polluting our earth- you probably find the number of pre-approved credit offers a big waste of paper....
Taking A Stand Against Identity Theft
The first and most important thing you can do to become better prepared and protected against identity theft is to lose the attitude that "it could never happen to you". Identity theft is much more common than most people believe, and the belief that it won't happen to you leaves you much more vulnerable than someone who actively takes steps to protect themselves against the crime. Identity thieves are able to obtain information they need to assume someone else's identity- often with little...
The Pros And Cons Of Having A Credit Card
Are you a credit card owner? If you are not, the thought may have crossed your mind. After all, you have likely received numerous credit card offers in the mail or you may have even been presented with credit card offers online. To determine if having a credit card is the best decision for you, you are advised to examine the pros and cons of having one. A few of the most influential pros and cons are outlined below for your convenience.
Perhaps, the biggest pro or plus side to owning a credit...
Tips For Avoiding Credit Fraud
There are a variety of ways that thieves can get your information and use your cards to make purchases. Here are a few of the more common ways:
You pay for dinner at the restaurant with your credit card. Your waitress takes the card to the register, processes the transaction and returns it. What you didn't see was the copy of your card details that she made, and later used it to make purchases online and by phone!
You can't believe your luck when you get a mailing that says you've won a free...
Tj Maxx's Theft Among The Largest Hack-jobs Ever
At least 45 million shoppers using credit and debit cards at TJ Maxx and Marshalls have had their card details stolen from hackers, over a period of 4 or more years. This is believed to be the largest breach of consumer information in history.
The theft was disclosed about two months ago, and the parent company of TJ Maxx and Marshalls (owners of over 2,500 discount stores) have released that figure of 45 million cards being compromised- and has even acknowledged the number could get even...
Top 6 Ways To Get Out Of Debt
It's certainly easy enough to get yourself into debt, but when it comes to becoming debt free most people struggle for their entire lives without every fully experiencing a debt free existence.
Here are 6 things you can do right now to increase your possibility of becoming debt free.
Try consolidating your debts if you have many accounts with small balances on them. It can be a nightmare to keep track of numerous credit cards and loan payments each month, which increases your potential for...
Use Credit Cards Wisely During The Holiday Season
When November rolls around every year, stores begin advertising like crazy, and people start getting in the mood to shop. Just about everyone has a list of people for whom gifts must be purchased, and the only way to accomplish this is obviously to spend money. Unfortunately, many people see the holiday season as a good excuse to put all purchases and expenses on a credit card because they dont have enough cash on hand to pay for everything all at once.
The holiday season, however, is no...
Use The Statute Of Limitations Of Debt To Your Advantage
Debt collectors do not have an indefinite period of time to continue trying to collect payments from old debts. There is an "expiration date", called the Statute of Limitations, that prevents debt collectors and/or the original lender, from pursuing you for the rest of your life on old debts. Before you go ahead and send in a payment on an old debt, check to be sure that the statute of limitations hasn't expired. If the expiration date has passed, you may be protected by law and not liable for...
Using a Home Equity Loan to Pay Off Credit Cards
The majority of Americans carry some sort of credit card debt. Unfortunately, many of us carry so much debt at such high interest rates that it becomes difficult to make a difference in the amount we owe, even when we send a payment to the credit card company each month. Falling behind just makes it worse, with late fees and finance charges added on to your next statement- and often a late payment will result in an increase in your interest rate. High interest rates quickly add up and result in...
What Bankruptcy Can Do For You (and What It Can't Do)
While bankruptcy is sometimes the ideal solution for individuals who have buried themselves under excessive debt, it isn't the answer to all debt problems. Unfortunately, not all debts can be completely erased by a bankruptcy- and in some cases, the debts cannot even be reduced or placed in a repayment plan under a Chapter 13 or through a debt management program designed by credit counselors to get consumers into a better financial position.
If you're struggling with excessive debt from...
What Will You Do With Your Rebate?
In 2001, the US economy had entered a recession and the government issued rebate checks to most people in hopes people would run out and spend them and help stimulate the economy. While the effectiveness of that move haven't been proven one way or another really, congress is currently looking to run a similar program in 2008. The House and Senate have each come up with different rebate plans that are currently under discussion:
The House would like to pass a plan that gives $600 to each...
What You Should Know About Switching Credit Cards
With U.S. credit card debt at an all time high, many savvy consumers and investors are renewing their commitments to rid themselves of this burdensome and in most cases, unnecessary debt. In doing so they are constantly searching for the next best credit card with higher credit limits, lower annual percentage rates (APRs), and zero balance transfer offers. In fact switching credit cards has become as common as changing the battery in the fire alarm for some people and it has actually worked....
When Credit Cards Are Disputed
When you set up shop and allow for payments via debit and credit cards, there are numerous advantages- including spontaneous shoppers, and people who will buy more when they can put it on a credit card, but there are also a few disadvantages as well. One issue many retailers discover when they first start accepting credit cards is not only will they be responsible for paying the various fees associated with accepting credit or debit cards as payment, but accepting credit cards means you also...
Wine Accessories At Kitchen Junkie
Wine is more than an alcoholic beverage. Its almost a way of life! There are more wine accessories available than you could even imagine. From the necessities like corkscrews and glasses, to the not so necessary yet entertaining accessories like decanters, ice buckets, and pourers- there is more to wine than just drinking it.
Corkscrews & Openers While there are hundreds of varieties of corkscrews, they all work in basically the same fashion. You screw one end directly into the center...
Year Round Organization Saves Time and Money at Tax Time
Many people experience the tax season rush that occurs every April. They've waited until the last minute to look for essential paperwork, and then the actual filling out of the required tax paperwork takes much longer than expected. The best way to remedy this last minute chaos is to set up a year round organization system to prepare for taxes. It sounds like a lot of work, but it will absolutely be worth it the next time tax season rolls around (and you'll spend far less time staying...
You've Been Pre-approved
You have seen it before. Perhaps you are one of the millions of people who see these words everyday. They come directly to you courtesy of the postal service via your mailbox. These words likely appear in your email several times daily as well. You have been pre-approved for this credit card or that credit card. The mailings are quite luring as well. They offer great percentage rates, excellent balance transfer deals, or even exciting rewards.
However, have you really been pre-approved?...
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