Credit Cards

6 Financial Missteps You’ll Regret

If you’re like most people, you probably have a regret or two. It’s only natural to look back and think, “If only I’d done XX instead of YY,” or “I wish I’d known about YY before I decided ZZ.” Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20. And everyone makes mistakes. But some mistakes are costlier than others – literally. For example, the financial decisions you make today can affect your...

Building Great Credit? 7 is the Magic Number

Here’s something that might surprise you: While it’s absolutely true that responsible credit use is a must for establishing a good credit score and a strong credit history, time is also a factor. Simply having a few years of established credit is a step in the right direction. Sometimes, the key to a higher score is simply waiting a few years. So if you’re working on building great credit,...

Purchases you should NEVER Make with Your Credit Card

I’ve written several blogs about how to use credit cards the right way – paying off your balance in full; not applying for too many accounts; not treating credit cards like an emergency fund or a source of supplementary income. But credit card use isn’t just about behavior and spending habits. It’s also about knowing what you should and (perhaps more importantly) shouldn’t buy with a credit card. Part...

You Asked, We Answered:  Credit Card FAQs

What’s the deal with “soft” vs. “hard” inquiries?  How does a secured card work?  How many credit cards is too many? As someone who has made a career out helping people with debt and credit card problems, I answer a lot of questions, and with good reason.  Credit cards are complicated, and there’s a lot of information – and misinformation – out there, and it’s not always easy to...

5 Not-So-Rewarding Credit Card Rewards

Five Not-So-Rewarding Credit Card “Rewards” Have you shopped around for a credit card recently?  If you have, you probably noticed that there’s a mind-boggling selection of cards out there, each offering a unique combination of terms, interest rates, and – of course – extra perks. Credit card companies know you’ve got tons of options to choose from – especially if you’ve got a solid credit history and a decent...

8 Tips to Save During the Holiday Season

8 Tips to Save During the Holiday Season  It’s official: The holiday season is here. There’s a lot to love about that festive stretch of time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day: The parties, the food, the over-the-top decorations, and the gift exchanges are all part of what makes this time of year so much fun. But if you’re not careful, all of that partying, eating, decorating, and gift...

The Rewards of Responsible Credit Card Use

I spend a lot of time on this blog discussing the negative side of credit cards because, well, used irresponsibly, there is the potential for a lot of negative consequences.  For example, if you treat your credit card as a secondary source of income, or when you carry a balance month to month and allow interest to pile up, you run the risk of serious, costly long-term debt problems....

How to Boost your Credit Score with a Secured Card

The frustrating thing about credit cards is that, in order to get a credit card, you have to have reasonably good credit.  But the only way to build a solid credit history is by establishing a pattern of responsible credit card use. See the dilemma?  If you have bad credit, or even no credit, it can be difficult to get back on solid ground, credit-wise.  One way to bounce...

Maxed Out Credit Cards? Advice for Undoing the Damage

One of the worst parts about credit card debt is that, if you’re not careful, it can creep up on you:  You start out with the best intentions.  You plan to pay off your credit card in full every month.  You plan to treat your credit card like cash, and to use it responsibly, as a tool to help you build a solid credit history. It’s so easy to...

Credit Card Balance Transfer Pros and Cons

If you’re carrying a substantial amount of credit card debt, there’s a good chance that you’ve probably at least considered using a credit card balance transfer to pay off credit card debt that have high interest rates.  And with good reason: With super-low interest rates, balance transfer offers can seem like a ray of hope in an otherwise bleak debt situation. But are credit card balance transfers a good...