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Credit Card Tips

Weekly Credit Cards Tips

  • Weekly Tip: Use coupons to save money when buying.
    Oct 16, 2014
    The average American consumer spends a lot of money at stores. There’s around $150 a week on food. Then there’s pharmacy costs, clothing, entertainment, and everything else. Using...
  • Weekly Tip: Think about buying secondhand.
    Aug 29, 2014
    Although you might want something new, do you really need it? Oftentimes, buying secondhand can result in huge savings with little or no difference in quality. Used goods can be hundreds, even...
  • Weekly Tip: Avoid overdraft fees.
    Aug 15, 2014
    Although it may seem obvious to avoid overdraft fees, many people overcharge their credit card and end up paying for it. One time might be okay, but these charges add up fast. And if you are...
  • Weekly Tip: Buy generic.
    Aug 01, 2014
    Should you get Advil or the CVS version?   A recent study, from economists at Tilburg University in the Netherlands and the University of Chicago, found that smart people tend to buy...
  • Weekly Tip: Beware of credit repair scams.
    Jul 25, 2014
    If you have bad credit, you probably want to fix it quickly so that you can start getting approved for loans with low interest rates, rent properties, get a credit card, and more. Bad credit can...
  • Weekly Tip: Buy your plane ticket early, but not too early.
    Jul 17, 2014
    When should you book your travel tickets?   If you’re planning a trip, you know how hard this question is to answer. Clearly, you want to buy your airline tickets in advance, so...
  • Weekly Tip: Make budgeting a habit.
    Jul 11, 2014
    Waking up, brushing your teeth, taking a shower - these are all things that you don’t even think about. They have become so ingrained in your head that they are now habits. You automatically...
  • Weekly Tip: Use an app to help you manage your finances.
    Jul 02, 2014
    Although it’s easy to swipe your credit card for everything you need, it is important to monitor your spending habits. And what better way to do that then using your smartphone. In the past...
  • Weekly Tip: Carry only the credit cards you need.
    Jun 20, 2014
    If you have a lot of credit cards, you probably have them in your wallet. It’s easy to keep them all in one safe place, but is it the best place for safekeeping?   Although that...
  • Weekly Tip: Protect your smartphone with a password.
    Jun 10, 2014
    Most people have smartphones these days. And most people have personal information on those smartphones - phone contacts, emails, social media accounts, maybe even credit card numbers... It’...
  • Weekly Tip: Contact your credit card issuer to get a lower interest rate.
    Jun 03, 2014
    Are you sick and tired of having a high interest rate? If you have a good payment history with your credit card issuer, you may just want to call and talk to them. Simply asking for a lower...
  • Weekly Tip: Avoid paying unnecessary ATM fees.
    May 28, 2014
    Today consumers are paying billions of dollars a year unnecessarily to banks in the form of ATM fees. If you want to get cash from a bank that is not affiliated with your bank, chances are both...
  • Weekly Tip: Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees when traveling overseas.
    May 15, 2014
    Traveling internationally is expensive. Travelers have to pay for costly flight tickets and lodging, plus the food, entertainment, and more once they get overseas. And with the U.S. dollar being...
  • Weekly Tip: Start saving for retirement early.
    May 07, 2014
    Retirement may seem like a lifetime away, so many people assume they can hold off on saving now and make it up later. But it is important to start saving as early as you can. Waiting too long can...
  • Weekly Tip: Change your passwords regularly.
    Apr 29, 2014
    It is important to regularly update the passwords on all your accounts. Why?   Although it is a hassle, this can prevent hackers from getting into your account. When you have the same...
  • Weekly Tip: Always pay at least the minimum on your credit card bill.
    Apr 23, 2014
    Whether you are in debt or not, it is important to at least pay the minimum on your credit card bill each month. By paying late, you can significantly damage your credit score. If you miss a...
  • Weekly Tip: Sign up for automatic payments.
    Apr 18, 2014
    If you haven’t already, think about signing up for automatic payments. Everything is done online today, and going paperless can be incredibly helpful. For one, you won’t have to...
  • Weekly Tip: Limit the number of credit cards you have.
    Apr 09, 2014
    Although there is no set number of credit cards you should have at any given time, it is important to keep a limit on the number of credit cards you have open. For one, having too many credit...
  • Weekly Tip: Notify your card issuer if your name or address changes.
    Apr 02, 2014
    If you are in the process of a big change, it’s very easy to be too caught up to even think about your credit card issuers. However, it is very important to notify them in the event of a...
  • Weekly Tip: Have a mixture of different credit types.
    Mar 21, 2014
    In order to have a great credit score, it is important to mix up your credit. While using credit cards will build your credit score, it will only go so far. The 3 major credit bureaus- Experian,...
  • Weekly Tip: Dispute damaged credit card purchases.
    Mar 11, 2014
    Although it is common knowledge that you can dispute billing errors and fraudulent transactions with your credit card issuer, many people do not know that they can dispute charges for damaged...
  • Weekly Tip: Contact Your Credit Card Company Before Traveling
    Mar 05, 2014
    There’s a lot to do before taking a big trip. And although you are sure to pack your credit cards, you may not even think about contacting your credit card company.   It’s...
  • Weekly Tip: Avoid Deferred Interest Credit Cards
    Feb 28, 2014
    Buy now & pay later... It sounds like a deal!    Deferred interest credit cards are advertised as free credit cards that shoppers can get right on the spot. They are offered...
  • Weekly Tip: Keep Track of Your Credit Card Rewards
    Feb 21, 2014
    You may have a rewards credit card, but are you using those rewards?   According to a survey conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, 73% of Americans who are...
  • Weekly Tip: Know Your Consumer Rights
    Feb 12, 2014
    As a cardholder, you have certain rights under the federal law. The Consumer Credit Protection Act insures that consumers are legally protected when it comes to borrowing money, applying for...
  • Weekly Tip: Save Your Receipts
    Feb 07, 2014
    Weekly Tip: Save Your Receipts   Most people trash their receipts. They add up fast, and before you know it, you have a ton of pieces of paper floating around your purse or lying...
  • Weekly Tip: ALWAYS Read the Fine Print When Signing Up for a New Credit Card
    Jan 30, 2014
    When you’re applying for a new credit card, it’s easy to go for the most popular cards or the ones with flashy promotions. But before you get stuck with a credit card you may not want,...
  • Weekly Tip: Is it Bad to Miss a Credit Card Payment?
    Jan 15, 2014
    Missing a credit card payment may not seem like a big deal, but it can easily sink your credit score. When you skip a payment or make a late payment on your credit card, mortgage, or loan, creditors...
  • Weekly Tip: Set a budget for yourself
    Jan 07, 2014
    2014 is the year to get your finances under control and save money, right? Like many New Year’s resolutions, this task may seem daunting. It is hard to save money and change your spending...
  • Weekly Tip: Keep Credit Card Balances Low
    Dec 17, 2013
    It’s easy to keep swiping your card over and over again, especially with the holiday season upon us. But be careful not to get too close to your credit limit when you’re swiping away....
  • Weekly Tip: Preparing Your Credit Card for Holiday Travels
    Dec 10, 2013
    With the holiday break coming up, many people are travelling. Whether you are going overseas for a fun vacation or just returning home for the holidays, there are certain things you should do to get...
  • Weekly Tip: Use credit, not debit, when shopping online
    Dec 04, 2013
    With the holiday season in full swing, shopping is at its peak. But if you’re ordering things on the web, by phone, or mail order, be sure to use a credit card. Consumers often use debit today...
  • Tips for Smart Shopping on Black Friday
    Nov 28, 2013
    With Black Friday coming up and millions of consumers waiting to shop, here are some tips to help you get the most (and spend the least) in your Black Friday experience. 1. There’s no need to...
  • Ignorance isn't Bliss: Why Checking Your Credit Report is a Must
    Oct 03, 2013
    We've all seen the commercials with the hip, lip-syncing bands spitting rhymes about how cool it is to check your credit score. I along with a lot of other people sat there not thinking twice...
  • Mythbusting: Building your credit with debit
    Sep 25, 2013
    One thing that's prevalent through the minds of plenty, especially in the youth, is that prepaid debit and checking account debit cards are ways to build credit. Well I'm here to tell you to...
  • Weekly Tip: Don't lose those hard-earned rewards points
    Sep 16, 2013
    You worked hard to get good credit, which in turn means you’ve worked hard for that high rewards credit card. You’ve also worked really hard to get those points/miles/cash back that come...
  • Weekly Tip: How To Keep From Splurging
    Sep 06, 2013
    Sometimes when you have a problem, the best way to eliminated is to do just that, eliminate it. But if your problem is you use too much of your credit limit every month and have a hard time paying...
  • Weekly Tip: How to stay financially safe on vacation
    Aug 29, 2013
    With the long Labor Day weekend coming up, here are some tips for keeping your financial information, including credit cards, safe during your travels.   1) Take inventory Just...
  • Credit Card Fees and How to Avoid Them
    Aug 22, 2013
    Here's how to avoid credit card fees without too much hassle. Banks like money, fees make money, banks like fees. That's what makes the world turn, but if you can be vigilant and avoid these...
  • Keep your old credit cards open
    Aug 14, 2013
    If you’ve recently thought to yourself, “Should I close this old credit card?”, picture this:   You slide your hand into your mailbox. It’s cold to the touch,...