December 2nd, 2009
Wednesday Trends in Credit Cards & Debt
The hottest consumer topic, besides the “It” toy craze of the year the Zhu Zhu pet hamster, is the question of whether shoppers should charge credit or pay cash for holiday purchases. The credit squeeze, as the Eagle Tribune calls it, has pushed more shoppers to use debit card, gift card, or cash for Christmas shopping this year as shoppers are more credit card-weary than ever before. Lucky for your credit health, this round-up includes great posts about whether its best to go paper or plastic when you reach the cash register on your next shopping trip.
Credit Card News
- Should you pay with cash or credit? The Wall Street Journal put together this guide on the best ways to pay for holiday purchases.
- 3 ways to get lower credit card payments, brought to you by Reduce Debt Faster.
- Set on using credit for your shopping needs? Get some tips to protect your credit with SmartMoney’s ultra-helpful best holiday credit-card strategies.
- If you have bad credit, Moneyblogger recommends why you should get a secured card.
- SquawkFox presents 5 ways to screw your credit card company for the chance to finally get back at them for all those extra fees and interest rate hikes.
Debt News
- Check out Bankrate.com’s recent debt articles, including a 6-step debt-elimination program, plus 4 smart ways to tame debt.
- Don’t get harassed or swindled over debt– Free Money Finance reminds you to know your rights against debt collectors.
- Get ready to try Foreigner’s Finance’s nontraditional, alternative approach to debt help: how 10 minutes of meditation can fix your money problems.
- MarketWatch reports that consumers are more likely to use extra money to pay down debt than do extra shopping. If you plan to do both, the article also suggests tips on how to keep debt down even while you shop.
- The economics of credit card debt reported by Reuters.
