When you’re shopping for a credit card, you might click away from any that have an annual fee. Who wants to pay an extra fee for just having a credit card? But, in some cases, paying an annual fee might be worth it, especially if the card provides enough value to offset the fee. Your rewards will be higher than the annual fee. Many of the best rewards credit cards charge an annual fee - it's unavoidable. Some...
Opening a new credit card can affect your finances more than you initially realize. Here are five things that happen when you open a new credit card. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a new credit card, but being aware of the affects can help you manage your card. An inquiry is placed on your credit report. Actually, the inquiry is placed on your credit report when you apply for the credit card, even if you’re declined...
Bills. They come each month like clockwork. And like clockwork, we’re supposed to send payment by a specific due date. Companies won’t come to your home and demand payment, but that doesn’t mean that paying late is without consequences. Here are seven reasons you should always pay on time. To avoid late fees. Most companies, and not just credit card companies, will charge a late fee when your payment isn't received by the due date. Late...
Millions of Americans are targeted by phone scams everyday. Robocallers have a variety of extremely convincing schemes they use to trick consumers out of money and personal information. Here are some tips to avoid phone scams no matter what tactics the scammers use. Be skeptical of all unsolicited calls, especially calls asking you for money for any reason or your personal information. It’s hard to know for sure that the person on the other end of...
You might the prepaid cards are for people with bad credit who can’t access traditional credit cards or those who can't get a checking account. However, a 2014 survey conducted by The Pew Charitable Trusts revealed that 59% of prepaid card users actually have a checking account and 66% have used a credit card within the past year. So, there are some benefits to prepaid cards, even for people who use traditional banking. Prepaid cards work almost just...
Most of us feel like we’re paying too much fore wireless service. Even switching to a cheaper monthly plan seems to barely make a dent in the monthly wireless bill. Review your bill. Don’t just pay your bill without reading through it to see what you’re paying for. You could be unknowingly paying fees for services you’re not using. You could be signed up for a more expensive plan that you realized. Compare your plan to...
Some people say you should never loan money to a friend or family member. Money tends to complicate relationships, particularly if the borrower doesn’t pay you back as agreed. It’s easy to set a rule that you'll never loan money to people you know, but it’s just as hard to watch someone close to you suffer financially, especially if you can help. If you decide to loan money to a friend or family member, here are some tips to make the...
Throughout life, you’ll experience life changes that can have a major impact on your finances. Job loss, losing a spouse, having a child, major medical bills, and disability are just a few life events that can put a strain on your finances. Unfortunately, your credit score can also be impacted during these times. Here are some tips to protect your credit score even when you’re having financial problems. Scale back your credit card usage. Many people feel...
We know that skills like budgeting and smart spending play an important role in financial success. Without them, you can easily make critical mistakes that derail your finances. But budgeting will only take you so far. Here are six life skills you need to have to be financially successful. The ability to prioritize At any given time, you’ll have competing financial needs. While you may feel like they are all equally important – like saving money and...
Applying for a credit card or loan is somewhat of a gamble. Even if you’re sure you meet all the qualifications, your application can still be denied. While it’s disappointing, it’s not the proverbial end of the world. It’s an opportunity improve your credit and your finances so you can be in a better position the next time you apply. Understand why your application was turned down. After you have an application denied, the bank will...
