Credit cards are a gleaming, double edged sword, waiting to be unsheathed and sent into the fray, armed with a burgeoning credit limit and accumulating debt. Those of you who respect your slips of magic plastic understand they require constant care and attention, implementing a steady payment plan and factoring any large, unexpected purchases into interest patterns, … [Read more...] about 3 Rookie Mistakes People Make With Credit Cards
Credit Cards
How Many Credit Cards Should You Have
Hey everyone and thank you for coming to read my first post here on Stumble Forward. Today, I'd like to talk a bit about credit cards. These days, credit cards have become the cornerstone of things we have in common as consumers when it comes to finances. The truth is, the vast majority of us who qualify for these special rectangular pieces of plastic have one or two of them at … [Read more...] about How Many Credit Cards Should You Have
10 Credit Card Secrets They Don’t Want You to Know
Even though credit card companies are required to inform you of your interest rate, payment due date, applicable fees, and a host of other caveats, your contract with an issuer – commonly called a Credit Agreement – is actually a flexible document. This works in your favor in some cases (see #4, #5, and #8 below), but works in the issuer’s in others. These credit card secrets … [Read more...] about 10 Credit Card Secrets They Don’t Want You to Know
What Credit Card Should I Get? How to Compare Your Options
When you are questioning “What credit card should I get?” you may need help sorting through all of the options on the market. It can be difficult to decipher the terms in even “consumer friendly” credit offers, considering how shrouded in legalese credit card terms and conditions usually are. Knowing first and foremost what is important to you in a credit card is the best way … [Read more...] about What Credit Card Should I Get? How to Compare Your Options
Living Without Credit Cards – Can You Do It?
Credit cards are so ubiquitous that it’s easy to forget that they are a relatively recent invention. Although the concept of credit is hundreds of years old, the credit card as we know it did not become available until well into the 20th century. The first credit card was believed to be the Charg-It card, which was a local use card introduced in 1946. That paved the way for the … [Read more...] about Living Without Credit Cards – Can You Do It?
Are Reward Credit Cards Worth It? How to Tell If You’re Getting a Good Deal
As I mentioned earlier this year, common credit card mistakes can easily erase the benefits offered by any credit card, including rewards cards. So are reward credit cards worth it? The short answer is that they can be, as long as you use the card wisely and choose the card that’s right for your spending habits. The question “Are rewards cards worth it?” is bound to come up … [Read more...] about Are Reward Credit Cards Worth It? How to Tell If You’re Getting a Good Deal
What Is a Virtual Credit Card? 5 Tips To Use Over The Holidays
The holidays are quickly approaching, and online virtual credit card ads are already cropping up – but what is a virtual credit card? Also called single use credit cards, these cards are temporary credit card numbers typically tied to a credit card that you already own. The reason for using a temporary number is to thwart identity thieves; if a thief attempts to use that … [Read more...] about What Is a Virtual Credit Card? 5 Tips To Use Over The Holidays
Credit Card Privacy Laws – How They Affect You
Credit card privacy laws are meant to protect consumers, but thanks to corporate lobbying these laws do not always go as far as they should. There are also many loopholes in credit card laws that allow credit card companies to use your information in ways that you might not expect. This is why it is important to read the credit card privacy policy for every credit card that … [Read more...] about Credit Card Privacy Laws – How They Affect You
Paying Off Credit Cards with Credit Cards –The Worst Financial Mistake
Those who are new to credit or have used credit cards traditionally for a long time might wonder, “Can I pay my credit card with another credit card?” Actually, you can; regulations force creditors to accept virtually any reasonable method of payment by consumers. However, my question to you is: Why would you want to? Paying off credit cards with credit cards only moves … [Read more...] about Paying Off Credit Cards with Credit Cards –The Worst Financial Mistake
Credit Card Fraud – 6 Ways to Potentially Avoid It
With millions upon millions of Americans carrying around a credit card, many often don’t think twice when they swipe that piece of plastic. Sure, while most credit card companies won’t hold you liable for purchases you didn’t make, that doesn’t mean the scam artists can’t take advantage of you. What you have to understand is that when a bad charge shows up on your … [Read more...] about Credit Card Fraud – 6 Ways to Potentially Avoid It
