Thanks to the CARD Act of 2009, credit card issuers can only raise your interest rate under specific conditions. As a consumer, this is good news. The not so good news is that your rate could still increase at some point in the future. Here are several times when this could happen to you: 1. Your promotion is coming to an end. Did you sign up for a credit card with a 0 percent interest rate...
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...
As hard as you try, there may come a point when you miss a credit card payment. This isn’t the worst financial mistake you can make, but it could have a negative impact on your credit report.Here are several things you should do if you miss a credit card payment: 1. Act fast. The due date may have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean you should sit around and wait for the next statement cycle...
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...
As you find yourself comparing credit card offers, you may soon ask this question: is it really worth the time and effort? Some consumers believe that every offer is the same, meaning that they can apply for any credit card and end up in a good place when everything is said and done. However, this is not true. Even when two credit cards appear to be identical, there are small details that make each one unique....
Your credit report should be 100 percent accurate at all times. Unfortunately, as you know, this is not always the case. Since mistakes can and do happen from time to time, you should review your report at least once per year. If you find a credit report error, don’t hesitate to contact the credit bureau in an attempt to get to the bottom of the problem. Here are three of the most common errors: 1. Identity...
As a small business owner, you have a lot on your plate. This includes a variety of details in regards to the company’s finances. At some point, you may begin to ponder the idea of applying for a small business credit card. While this is a big step forward, it’s also one that you should strongly consider. And here is why: 1. Easier to keep track of your spending. When you make every purchase with your...
Credit card interest is one of the biggest expenses of having a credit card. Every month that you don’t pay your credit card balance in full, your card issuer will add a finance charge based on your interest rate and credit card balance. The higher your rate and your balance, the higher your finance charge will be. Unfortunately, high finance charges can make it more difficult to pay off your balance, especially if you typically pay only...
