Finance Globe

Are you thinking about applying for your first credit card? Before you begin your search and fill out an application, there are a few things you need to know. 1. The benefits of a credit card. In short, you want to know why this is a good idea from a financial perspective. 2. The potential risks of carrying a credit card. Despite the many benefits, you may soon realize that there are some drawbacks as well....

Are you in the process of comparing reward credit cards? If so, you know there are hundreds of options to choose from. While each offer is worth your consideration, there will come a point when you need to make a final decision. If you’re on the fence and unsure of how to move forward, here are several questions to answer: •    How do you earn points with the credit card?•    What can the points be redeemed...

There are many good reasons to close a credit card account, such as if you are worried about excessive spending in the future. And while this could have a negative impact on your credit score, you may still decide to move forward. If you find that closing an account is the best option, there are some basic steps you should take: 1. Contact the appropriate party. You can find the customer service number on the back...

With so many great credit cards on the market, it’s hard to just have one. However, the more credit cards you have, the more difficult it is to keep up with the payments and balances and be sure none of the cards are dormant. Here are a few tips to help you manage multiple credit cards. Make your payments on time. Paying on time is important for keeping your accounts in good standing, minimizing fees, and maintaining a...

No one would knowingly volunteer to be a victim of fraud or identity theft. While you may do your best to keep your financial details safe, you could be unknowingly putting your identity at risk if you do any of these things. Use the same password for all your online accounts. We have dozens of online accounts for everything from email to social media to bank accounts. Unfortunately, many people get lazy and simply use the same password for...

Having your credit card stolen can send you into a panic. What if the thief maxes out your credit card before you can report the card stolen? Will your credit card issuer hold you responsible for the charges? If your credit card is ever stolen – or even just lost – don’t panic. Following a few simple steps will help you take control of your account and prevent the thief from racking up charges in your...

In a perfect world, our cash would flow smoothly from year to year with no major incidents. Unfortunately, life can’t always be perfect. Sometimes we cause our own money problems through overspending or other bad decisions. Other times, money problems are unexpected, caused by situations outside our control. Here are some of the worst money problems to have and tips for dealing with them. Not having enough money for a major expense. Emergency expenses, like a...

College students are notorious for being low on cash. For this reason, many turn to a student credit card. While there are advantages of using a credit card in college, such as building good financial habits, there are some definite risks involved. Here are three of the biggest: •    Overspending. Hands down, this is the top risk associated with a student credit card. If you aren’t confident in your ability to spend in a responsible manner,...

If you’re looking for a way to earn extra money, consider turning your hobby into an income stream. Whether your goal is to generate a little extra income or turn your hobby into a full-fledged business or somewhere in between, these tips will help you make a profit from your hobby. Make sure it’s something you enjoy doing. When you choose a hobby you enjoy – rather than one you think will make money –you’re more...

There are many benefits of using a credit card, such as the ability to conveniently make large purchases and the opportunity to collect reward points for every dollar you spend. However, you shouldn’t get into the habit of using a credit card until you fully understand the real cost of doing so. First things first, paying off your balance in full each month is the best thing you can do. With this strategy, you never have...