Credit Cards

The Differences Between Debit Cards and Credit Cards

Every time you make a purchase using plastic, whether at the grocery store, retail outlet, or a gas pump, you are most likely prompted to choose whether you are using a debit or a credit card. Other than the fact that one requires a PIN (your four- to six-digit personal identification number) and the other often requires a signature, you may wonder if it even matters which one you...

Heard of These 4 Credit Card Myths?

When it comes to personal finance in the 21st century, credit cards are inarguably one of the most common tools that consumers use. You’d be hard-pressed to find an adult today without one in his or her wallet. But that doesn’t mean that we all completely understand the implications of these important pieces of plastic. Let’s take a moment to dispel four common misconceptions about credit cards. MYTH 1....

18 Important Credit Card Terms to Know

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by credit card terminology. What’s the difference between your credit report and your credit score? What does APR stand for? What exactly is a CVV, anyway? In this blog, we’ll look at 18 important terms that every credit card holder should know: Annual fee. The yearly “membership” fee attached to some credit cards (usually reward cards). Not all credit cards charge an annual fee....

What Happens After You Pay Off a Credit Card

There’s nothing quite like making your final credit card payment. After months – or maybe even years – of living with the stress and expense of high-interest credit card debt, getting to that zero balance is truly something to celebrate.  Paying off credit card debt feels amazing. But not only that, it also frees you up to pursue other goals, make other plans, and do more with your hard-earned...

A Beginner’s Guide to Credit Cards: 10 Tips for Responsible Use

A lot of folks feel conflicted about credit cards, and with good reason. On one hand, if you use credit cards responsibly, they can open a lot of doors. For example, if you have a solid credit history and a high credit score, it will be easier to do things like buy a car or apply for a mortgage. You can avoid big hassles when renting an apartment or...

Are You Ready for Another Credit Card? Six Questions to Ask Yourself

When mulling whether or not procure an additional credit card, there are several important factors to consider. After all, taking on additional credit usually means you’ll soon be accruing additional debt, which is something that should be entered into responsibly and only after you are fully aware of what you’re getting yourself into and what that might mean for your financial situation. In this post, we’ll discuss the pros...

A Perfectly Tailored Credit Card Can Mean Healthy Financial Benefits

In the market for a new credit card? Well, in the sage words of Smokey Robinson, “You better shop around.” Granted, it may seem like choosing a credit card is as easy as sifting through the endless offers you receive in the mail and simply choosing one, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. In reality, different credit cards will appeal to different folks for different reasons. So...

Don’t Let Sneaky Expenses Bust Your Budget 

A detailed, well-planned budget is one of your best tools in your quest for financial responsibility and a good defense against overspending. However, even the savviest of budgeters can find themselves in tight money situations thanks to sneaky expenses that inevitably seem to crop up. Here is a list of some of the most commonly missed or forgotten budget items, and some tips on how to plan for them....

Life Without Credit Cards: The Pros and Cons

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s hard to imagine life without credit cards. Used responsibly, credit cards can help us build strong financial foundations and give us easier access to homes, transportation, job opportunities, and more. But used irresponsibly, credit cards can do damage that can take years – even decades – to reverse. For most people, the benefits of credit cards outweigh the potential drawbacks, and most of...

Six Credit Card Items You Can Negotiate

If you’ve ever struggled to pay down high-interest credit card debt, you know that it can start to feel overwhelming at times – almost as if your credit card is running the show and you’re just along for the ride. This out-of-control feeling is a little scary, and a lot discouraging. And it can be a huge barrier to improving your financial life, whether your goal is to get...