February 16th, 2011
Wednesday Roundup: Credit Cards & Debt
If you are in the market for a new credit card, raise your hand!
More credit card mailings are going out to consumers, sending a loud and clear message from credit card issuers: We want you back.
From rewards, cash back, points, low interest, to business plus more types of plastic than we can name, we’re helping narrow down your vast selection with this great guide from MoneyWatch on the best credit cards to score for 2011.
As you pick through all the credit card types, keep in mind that the type of credit card that will be most beneficial for your spending habits and lifestyle is not necessarily the credit card that you want. For example, if you are prone to overspending, than a rewards credit card may be an appealing but wrong choice, while a low interest credit card would be a good fit to help reduce the cost of your monthly balance.
Here are some highlights from MoneyWatch’s picks:
- Best Balance Transfer Card: Discover More – “The Discover More card features a fixed 0 percent introductory rate for 12 months with no balance transfer fee and no annual fee.”
- Best Cash Back Rewards Card: Fidelity Investment Rewards American Express – “The best cash back rewards today come from the Fidelity Investment Rewards American Express card, which pays you 2 percent back on all purchases with no limits on how much you can make in a year.”
- Best Card to Help Manage Your Money: Blueprint from Chase – “t’s actually not a card per se, but a program that is available on Chase’s Slate, Sapphire, Freedom, and Ink Visa and MasterCard credit cards”
Another factor to consider while shopping the marketplace is to know what type of cards your credit range qualifies you for. Check out Credit Karma’s best credit cards for each credit score range to get a good idea of what cards work best with your credit situation.
For more on credit cards and debt, an awesome crop of links from around the web, including Your Credit Card Doesn’t Love You and I Paid Off $50,000 in Credit Card Debt, and You Can, Too, is fresh-picked for you and just ahead! Happy Hump Day everyone!
February 9th, 2011
Wednesday Roundup: Credit Cards & Debt
How well do you know your partner? Nope, not their favorite color, biggest pet peeve, or quirky habits... but their credit score, their debt burden, their potential risk?
As the designated day to celebrate all things Love approaches, MarketWatch asks, "Can your spouse really afford that sweet Valentine's Day gift? Can you afford not to know?".
February 2nd, 2011
Wednesday Roundup: Credit Cards & Debt
SAHM -- Stay-at-home mom. Heard the acronym before? Credit card issuers have, and new rules from the Fed Reserve could make it trouble for SAHMs nationwide to get their own credit card.
January 26th, 2011
Credit Card Rewards Declining in 2011? Protect Your Points!
Guest blog from CreditShout!
January 20th, 2011
Want Credit? How to Have a Better Chance of Approval for a Credit Card
In the world of credit, nothing is guaranteed.
If you are going to suffer the hard inquiry from a credit card application, how can you better your chances of getting the credit card you want? Here are a few tips that can help put that credit card closer in reach.
January 19th, 2011
Wednesday Roundup: Credit Cards & Debt
First it was the Kardashian Kard prepaid card for young tweens (which was quickly pulled from the market), and now American Express tries to offer a credit card to a 3-year old. Tsk tsk credit card issuers… what on earth are you teaching our children?
January 18th, 2011
There Are Some Potty-Mouthed Credit Karma Users Out There
Every day, the Reviews section of Credit Karma is looking more and more like the lovechild of Yelp and the financial industry, with all the makings of a true consumer forum to vent, rant, praise, and recommend financial products and companies. No surprise, the Credit Karma community speaks their mind, with a few expletives here and there...
September 16th, 2010
13 Reasons To Love (And Use) Your Credit Card Again
This may be one of the only times you’ll hear this from a personal finance, pro-consumer site… but there are lots of reasons to love using your credit card again.
For card-holding consumers who are confidant in avoiding debt like the plague, here are 13 reasons to love and use your credit card.
July 30th, 2010
Would You Pay Off Your Credit Card If Your Issuer Offered You Money?
If you had an outstanding credit card balance of $5,000 and your issuer offered you a $200 bonus to pay off your debt in the next 6 months, would you take it? Issuers are considering rewarding cardholders, rather than penalizing them, with these cash incentives to encourage customers to unload debt...
June 16th, 2010
5 Great Changes To Your Credit Card… 5 Predictions Of The Industry’s Backlash
More changes are coming to your credit card, but at least this time, these changes won’t cost you in interest rate hikes or credit limit cuts.
The Federal Reserve announced new rules regarding credit card fees, in effect August 22nd, as the final set of changes to the CARD Act.
These reforms tighten up some loopholes on fees and aim to protect cardholders from unfair practices. Let’s take a look at the changes that will impact your plastic soon:
