Credit Cards

Credit Cards: Are You Using or Abusing Them?

There’s no denying that credit cards are super-convenient:  With a single swipe, you can pay for everything from a tank of gas to your morning coffee.  You can use them to pay bills and earn reward points.  And when you use them responsibly, they can help you boost your credit score. In other words, when it comes to easy payments, it’s really hard to beat a credit card. Unless,...

Break Free From Your Money Rut

Stuck in a Money Rut? Here’s How to Break Free Ever feel like your money is just sort of . . . going nowhere?  It’s a feeling that can creep in when nothing’s really off track, finance-wise, but at the same time, you’re not really making progress toward any significant goals.  You’re not saving or paying down debt.  Your budget needs some adjustment.  You know you could probably be...

Just Say “No” to These Credit Card Offers

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you already know that I’m a huge proponent of responsible credit card use:  When you avoid overspending and pay your balance in full every month, a credit card is a useful tool that can help you build good credit and/or repair not-so-good credit.  And when you’ve got good credit, you have an easier time getting approved for things a car loan...

How To Improve Your Finances in Just 20 Days

Looking for a way to get your finances in order?  Want to set some goals, revisit your budget, or lower your monthly bills?  Who doesn’t? Most of us want to save more, spend less, and build financial security – but things like budgeting and shopping for better interest rates can take time.  But if you just take things day by day, a step at a time, it’s not so...

Credit Card Theft- What to do if it Happens to You

I’ve posted quite a few articles about preventive credit card security – how to guard against hacking and skimming; how to keep your credit card information safe during the holidays, and how to protect your online identity with solid passwords. But what happens if, despite your best efforts, your credit card information falls into the wrong hands?  What if your wallet is stolen?  What if there’s a security breach...

What to do After you Rebuild Your Credit Score

I’ve posted several blogs (such as this one and this one) about ways to rebuild or repair less-than-perfect credit scores — and with good reason.  Your credit score determines what kinds of loans and interest rates you can get, and in some cases it can affect your ability to find a place to live or even a job.  And while repairing your credit score isn’t impossible, it’s not exactly...

Credit Cards and the Holidays

Credit Cards and the Holidays Plan on doing some holiday shopping this month?  If so, there’s a good chance that you’ll be using a credit card for some or all of your holiday purchases.  And, while there’s nothing wrong with responsible credit card use, the hectic holiday schedule of parties, shopping, and traveling can make even the most financially savvy folks a little scatterbrained, especially when it comes to...

How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge

How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge The holiday season usually means an uptick in shopping and spending. There are gifts to buy, travel arrangements to make, parties to attend – and so on.  And while this whirlwind of holiday activity can be fun, the unfortunate flip side is that the season isn’t exactly easy on the wallet. If you’re like most people, there’s a good chance that you’ll...

Keep Tabs on Your Credit Card: 7 Tips For Preventing Fraud

By now, most people are familiar with the risks of their credit card information falling into the wrong hands: Not only could someone max out your card with their expenses, but there’s also the possibility that someone could use your card’s information to steal your entire identity! While it’s impossible to eliminate these dangers completely, there are some fairly simple steps you can take to reduce the chances someone...

Five Questions to Ask About Your Credit Card Terms and Conditions

I’m not opposed to credit cards – but I do believe that the only way to use credit is to use it responsibly.  And one of the best ways to ensure responsible credit card use (in addition to paying your balance – in full! – every month) is to know how your card works.    How much do you really know about your credit card?  Sure, you probably know...