January 25, 2008

No denying that credit cards made our trade relations much easier. With plastics we get more buying power. And, of course, using credit cards is much more convenient than carrying cash rolls with you. Owing a credit card enables you to make online purchases, make reservations at airports, restaurants, hotels, etc.

According to latest surveys, over 80% of Americans carry credit cards. The average American has 8 to 10 plastics in his or her wallet. They just cannot imagine their life without this little plastic device. Even at an interview for a new job your future employer will ask you about your credit history. However, together with all those benefits and opportunities plastic money gives you, credit cards have their shortcomings.

February 08, 2008

Large department stores and specialty shops have found a way to customers' hearts. In order to attract more new buyers, retailers offer their frequent customers store credit cards. Such cards offer good discounts of about 10% and alluring benefits. Having yielded to the temptation of getting a new clothing item for their wardrobe with a considerable discount, customers just cannot resist getting one of these store cards.

When you spot something that triggers your impulse buying desire, a 10% discount seems to be a nice bargain. And at such moments it is really hard to stop for a while and analyze all pros and cons of this deal.

February 15, 2008

If you credit rating is far from being perfect, for any reason, you should not expect to get approved for the most beneficial credit card deals with low rates and good bonuses. But it is hard to put up with this kind of a verdict. And, of course, you have a way out. What you need to do is to work hard on repairing your credit score.

You can find a lot of information in the Web on how to boost your credit rating. However, you should not believe blindfolded in all that you read or hear. Improving credit score is not an easy matter, and you can get trapped with numerous myths about the simplicity of this, actually, time and effort-taking process. So, for you not to end up with a ruined credit history, having followed those bum steers, I will try to bust credit repair myths.

February 22, 2008

Travel aficionados are ready to seize any chance to go on a trip. For that reason, airline miles credit cards are, generally, the most searched for card type for travel fans. It seems so easy, you apply for a card that gives you travel related rewards, earn some certain amount of miles and you can pack your bags and go on some of your dreams' journeys. In fact, it is much easier said than done. What kind of problems can you face enthusiastically collecting miles?

March 07, 2008

People often say "It is better late than never". But this rule does not always work, especially when we speak about credit card payments. A good cardholder knows: time is money, so the earlier you make the payment, the less you will pay. As a matter of fact, lenders are especially fond of unpunctual people, because in the end they pay more than others! Being more literal, one can say they want us to be unpunctual, doing their best to make us slightly oblivious.

Sometimes it takes minutes to ruin a credit history that had been created for a number of years.

April 03, 2008

Credit card companies give people not just little plastic devices to pay for goods and services, they give customers more financial freedom and opportunities. A loan or a credit card enables you to make purchases that you would have never been able to afford using your savings. But together with that freedom you are obliged to follow pretty strict rules and regulations.

You have to be accurate with your monthly credit card payments, you are not to exceed your credit limit, you should better not go overdrawn, and other numerous musts and don'ts. Otherwise you are imposed penalty fees, can get rejected when applying for another credit card, and put your credit history at risk.

April 04, 2008

When you find your true love, your Mr. or Mrs. Right, and you are in love, material life does not really occupy your mind. Especially when it comes to some financial issues. You just dream of you and your better half standing at the altar exchanging wedding vows, then bringing up children together and living happily ever after.

But if you entirely get absorbed with romance and melt in the object of your love, your love story can have far not a fairy-tale-like ending. You should not forget that we live in a material world and financial matters are very important in serious relationship.

April 18, 2008

Summer is knocking on our doors. It got much warmer, girls take out their summer dresses from closets, and men take off their vests and coats. People all over the US are longing for this season. No matter whether you live in Florida, Utah, or Montana, you, probably, have already started the countdown for the summer. Summer is the "official" vacation time.

Many people like to go travelling somewhere. Going on a trip is really great and fascinating. But this pleasure will cost you a pretty penny, especially if you travel with your family. Do you know how to save money on your summer trip? The answer is simple. Credit cards.

April 29, 2008

When you shop for dairy products, for instance, you pay attention to the best before date. If this date slips your attention, it might have grave consequences for your health. And that is no news. But why do we forget about expiration dates when it comes to our credit cards?

Credit cards just like food or any other products have their life time, and when it expires credit products lose their useful properties. It might sound like nonsense to you, a credit card cannot turn sour or grow mold. But a plastic's magnetic stripe gets abraded after some period of use. But it is not the only reason for credit card companies to set expiration dates on credit cards.