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Americans cut credit card debt by $1.7 billion

Submitted on Mon, 2013-05-20 10:45 | by Jason Bushey

There were two articles I read this Monday morning that had me feeling pretty good about ongoing credit card debt in this country. 

First came a report originally published on May 7th by the Associated Press, which explained that American consumers had cut their credit card debt by $1.7 billion in March. The $846 billion we still owe in credit card debt is 17.2 percent less than the all-time peak of $1.022 trillion that was set in the summer of 2008, which as we all know is right about the time when the floor fell out from underneath us.

So Americans are in fact reigning in the spending, and not only that - we're paying down our bad debts faster than we have in nearly five years.

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Pay Down Debt at 0% Interest - Citi Simplicity® Card

If you're ready to prioritize paying down existing credit card debt to zero, consider applying for the Citi Simplicity® Card. This card gives good-to-excellent credit card consumers the opportunity to transfer their current balance and pay it down interest-free for 18 months. Plus, there's no annual fee and no late-payment fees to deal with - ever! This is an excellent card for paying down debt, and can help you eliminate interest fees that are bogging down your debt reduction plan. Click the "Apply" button to the left for full details.

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Build Credit Early - Discover it® for Students

One credit card targeted at young consumers ready to build credit while earning cash back rewards is Discover it® for Students. This card builds credit history, requires no annual fee, and includes 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases made in categories that rotate each quarter. Find out exactly how this student credit card can help you build credit when you click the "Apply" button to the left.

3 Money Saving Tips for Summer Travelers

Submitted on Fri, 2013-05-17 09:36 | by Jason Bushey

Not to brag, but I've broken out the grill and charcoal THREE times this week. I love summer, and with the weather warming up and the days getting longer, it's officially time to start planning those summer trips, be it on the ground or in the air.

For the frugal traveler looking to save some coin without sacrificing any good times, here are 3 money saving tips for summer travelers...

1.) Gas up with a cash back card

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Discover it® - 5 percent cash back at gas stations starting July 1st

Beginning July 1st, cardholders that enroll in Discover's popular bonus cash back program will earn 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases made at gas stations. Members earn 1 percent cash back on all other purchases, there's no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees for consumers traveling abroad.

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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express - 6 percent cash back at US supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases

Our favorite credit card for gas and groceries is this card from American Express. Earn 6 percent cash back at US gas stations on up to $6,000 per year, and 3 percent at US gas stations and select department stores. Members can also earn 150 Reward Dollars after you make $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of Cardmembership.

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Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus

A great card if you plan on making a big purchase of $500 or more this summer, this cash back card from Capital One rewards cardholders that spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months a $100 cash back bonus. There's no annual fee and cardholders earn a 50 percent bonus on the cash back earned every year.

Credit Myths Debunked: Are American Express Credit Cards Only for Rich People?

Submitted on Wed, 2013-05-15 09:00 | by Jason Bushey

First and foremost, the answer to this question is an affirmative 'No', but let's get to why we're answering this question in the first place.

There's a bit of a stereotype surrounding American Express cards, and it's that they're tailored for the wealthy with only the very best credit scores. I was speaking with a higher-up business executive the other day about business card offers, and when I mentioned American Express he told me he was under the impression that American Express cards were for "rich people only".

Not true!

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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

We mentioned it above, but it's worth noting once more that this is our absolute favorite credit card for gas and groceries. Their 6-3-1 rewards program includes 6 percent cash back at supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year), 3 percent cash back at gas stations and select department stores in the US, and  1 percent cash back on all other purchases. There's also no interest on new purchases for the first 12 months. Check out the full details when you click the "Apply" button to the left.

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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Similar to the above Preferred card, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a 3-2-1 card that includes 3 percent cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at US grocery stores, 2 percent cash back at US gas stations and select department stores, and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases. There's no annual fee to pay, and a 0 percent introductory period applied to new purchases for the first 12 months.

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American Express® Serve

Simply the best prepaid card on the market today, American Express® Serve offers a handful of forward-thinking ways to upload money - email, text, Facebook even. There are no annual or monthly fees, and cardholders are privy to the great perks associated with AmEx members. A great alternative to standard debit, Serve is an excellent way to teach young adults how to pay with plastic.

Which Gas Credit Cards Are Worth the Investment This Summer?

Submitted on Mon, 2013-05-13 09:59 | by Jason Bushey

There's good news from GasBuddy.com today. According to their experts, gas prices will continue to fall through June, 2013, especially in the weeks after Memorial Day. According to the report (which we found via The Daily Ticker on Yahoo!), the national average price for a gallon of gas will hover around $3.53 per gallon, 5 cents less than today's average of $3.58. Considering that's 17 cents less than the same time last year, there's reason to believe that 2013 gas prices won't be quite as taxing as they were in 2012.

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Discover it® - 5 percent cash back at gas stations

Beginning July 1st, Discover it® cardholders can earn 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases made at gas stations when they enroll. That's a savings of up to $75 in gas in Quarter 3 - easily a full tank of gas for most cars. The offer expires September 30, and cardholders earn 1 percent cash back on all other purchases. There's also no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and a 0 interest introductory period of 14 months applied to new purchases and balance transfers.

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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express - Unlimited 3 percent cash back at US gas stations

We've been singing the praises of this card for a while now, but there's no better long-term offer for gas rewards than this cash back card from American Express. Members earn 3 percent cash back at US gas stations, and an additional 6 percent cash back on up to $6,000 in purchases at US supermarkets per year. There is an annual fee, but the bonus cash back offer is simply one of the best available this summer.

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Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® - Excellent Credit - 2x points on gas, groceries and utilities

This Barclaycard combines one of our favorite cash back bonus offers - $50 after your first purchase (or 5,000 points) - with one of the better unlimited bonus cash back offers available. Cardholders earn 2x the points (estimated at $.02) on gas, groceries and utilities, and there's no annual fee, cash back limits or expirations. This is another great card to save with at the pump.

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TrueEarnings® Card from Costco and American Express - 3 percent cash back at US gas stations for up to $4,000 per year

Costco members already know how much they can save when shopping at their favorite warehouse retailer. This card keeps the savings rolling, offering 3 percent cash back at US gas stations (and gasoline at Costco) for up to $4,000 per year. Road trippers can earn an additional 2 percent cash back at US restaurants, and the card doubles as a Costco membership card. How's that for a 2-for-1 deal?

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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express - 2 percent cash back at US gas stations

Finally, this trimmed-down version of the aforementioned Blue Cash card from American Express offers an unlimited 2 percent cash back at US gas stations, plus 3 percent cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at US supermarkets. The upside to this card is that there's no annual fee, and the interest-free introductory offer applied to new purchases is identical at 12 months.

Best Credit Card Offers of Summer, 2013

Submitted on Thu, 2013-05-09 09:20 | by Jason Bushey

Do you feel that? The sun is shining, the weather is warming up and the baseball season is in full bloom.

That's right - summer is almost here!

Summer's actually a great time to evaluate the plastic you're carrying in your wallet and consider upgrading. Why? Well, tax season is over, bonus cash back categories are getting ready to rotate and a number of cash back cards offer summer-friendly deals for cardholders. 

So if you're ready to take stock of summer spending, here are some of the best new credit card offers to consider for summer, 2013...

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Best Credit Card for Gas Purchases - Discover it®

Beginning July 1st, Discover it cardholders can earn 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases made at guess stations through September. Summer travelers that plan on hitting the open road can save as much as $75 in bonus cash back at the pump with this card, plus one percent cash back on all other purchases. Cardholders planning a 4th of July party can also save up to 20 percent on party favors when they ShopDiscover online, and take advantage of their helpful Cashback Concierge(SM) feature that helps net members the most possible cash back from their card.

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Best $100 Cash Back Offer - Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus

Consumers planning on making a purchase of $500 or more this summer would be wise to apply for this credit card from Capital One, which could net them up to $100 in savings (or 20 percent off). Owners of this card can earn a $100 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months, plus 1 percent cash back on all purchases and a 50 percent bonus on cash back earned every year. This is a no annual fee credit card with zero interest attached to purchases and balance transfers for a limited time. Click "Apply" to the left for complete details.

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Best Cash Back Offer for a Summer BBQ - Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Why is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express the best card to fund a summer BBQ? Because this card rewards 6 percent cash back per year on up to $6,000 in purchases at US supermarkets. Terms and limitations apply, but you won't find a more lucrative cash back card when it comes to everyday purchases like gas (3 percent cash back at US gas stations) and groceries. Stock up on all the hot dogs, burgers, chips and dip you need this 4th of July with this preferred cash back card from AmEx.

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Best Balance Transfer Offer - Citi Simplicity® Visa Card

Consumers more interested in saving than spending this summer can take advantage of the best 0 interest offer of the summer from Citi Simplicity. Cardholders can transfer an existing balance to this card and pay down their debt interest-free for 18 months! Plus, there's no interest on new purchases, and no late fees or annual fees...EVER. This is the number one credit card offer for transferring a balance this summer.

New Discover it for Students Offer: $20 Cashback Bonus

Submitted on Mon, 2013-05-06 10:49 | by Jason Bushey

You know what never hurts when you're in college? A free $20 bill. $20 in my pocket could last me almost a full week in college, until the inevitable Friday night beer run, of course. Free money is always good, but it's especially useful in college when being broke is more or less the norm'. 

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Discover it® for Students with $20 Cashback Bonus

Students earn a $20 Cashback Bonus® after making their first purchase with this card within 3 months of approval. Plus, earn 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases in categories that change each quarter, and another 1 percent on all other purchases. If you're a student who likes FREE money, than this the card you should apply for.

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Discover it® for Students - 6 Months at 0% Interest

Plan on carrying a balance during your first 6 months of membership? Consider the original Discover it for Students offer and pay zero interest on new purchases for 6 months. You're still privy to the excellent bonus cash back program, there's no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees for the student studying abroad. Click the "Apply" button to the left for complete details.

Premier Miles and More Card's New Offer: Zero Interest for 12 Months and up to 50,000 Bonus Miles

Submitted on Fri, 2013-05-03 08:11 | by Jason Bushey

You probably haven't heard of the Premier Miles & More World MasterCard from Barclaycard.

But like a lot of the cards issued by Barclays, you might want to take note; Barlcaycard has released several excellent credit card offers over the last six months, and the new offer from their Premier Miles & More card is simply one of the best for frequent fliers.

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The Premier Miles & More World MasterCard® - 50,000 Bonus Miles

Cardholders that apply to this card by June 30th are eligible to earn up to 50,000 bonus miles - 20,000 after their first purchase and 30,000 after spending $5,000 or more in the first 90 days. Plus, pay no interest for 12 billing cycles on new purchases and balance transfers. Click the "Apply" button to the left for complete offer details.

e-Finance App Review: Personal Capital - Editor's Choice for May, 2013

Submitted on Thu, 2013-05-02 16:15 | by Jason Bushey

Anyone with a smart phone or a tablet knows that e-financing and mobile banking apps are constantly out-doing one another for iSupremacy in the digital finance age. Researching the best ones often amounts to a lot of reviews-reading and - unfortunately - some serious trial and error. And it sure feels like as soon as one feels right, there's another, better option to take its place.

Discover it Cashback Categories for Summer 2013 Revealed

Submitted on Tue, 2013-04-30 16:28 | by Jason Bushey

As promised, Discover announced their 5 percent cash back categories for "Summer Fun" in 2013 this morning. Discover it cardholders will earn 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases made at gas stations, vaulting this card into one of the best gas rebate credit cards for the upcoming season.

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Discover it™ - 14 Months Interest-Free + 5 Percent Cash Back

If you want the best of both worlds - 0 percent interest for 14 months plus 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in categories that rotate each quarter - consider Discover it™. There's no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and their sweet new Cashback Concierge (SM) will guide you around the ShopDiscover online mall to get you the most cash back possible with your card. Apply today and get ready for "Summer Fun" cashback categories in Quarter 3 of 2013.

13 Ways to Raise Quick Cash

Submitted on Tue, 2013-04-30 13:34 | by Jason Bushey

Running a little short this month? It happens to all of us at one time or another. But, before you reach for your plastic, you might want to check out one of these 13 ways to raise some quick cash.

1.) Does anyone owe you money? It might be time to try to collect the money that you lent your cousin last fall. Even if you don't collect it's good to remind them about the debt.

2.) Are you owed unclaimed funds? You'd be surprised how many utility deposits and bank accounts go unclaimed. States collect the money and keep it for the rightful owner. That could be you! Check it out at Unclaimed.org.

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Like cash back? Check out Discover it™

Then again, if you want to earn cash back via credit card purchases, consider applying for Discover it™ to earn 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in rotating categories that change each quarter. Earn one percent cash back on all other purchases, and pay no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Get the full details when click on the "Apply" button to the left.

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