bad credit credit cards

bad credit credit cards

Credit One Bank® Unsecured Visa® for Rebuilding Credit Review: The Pros & Cons

March 29th, 2016 by Elisabeth Chan

Ever since Orchard Bank credit cards got the axe from Capital One years ago, many consumers with poor credit have been looking to the Credit One Bank® Unsecured Visa® for Rebuilding Credit instead. Let's face it, there unfortunately aren't many credit card options left on the market for those with poor credit. And if you prefer to use an unsecured credit card over a secured credit card, your options are even more limited!

What's a "Good" FICO Score?

January 21st, 2016 by Joshua Heckathorn

Like it or not, FICO scores have become extremely important numbers in our lives.  So much so that I often refer to them as our "personal reputation" in the financial world. Disregard your FICO scores, and you may find it extremely difficult to get approved for anything from apartment rentals, auto loans, and home loans, to a new rewards credit card.  Even insurance companies are taking a look at your FICO scores these days to determine if you're a risk worth taking, so there's no doubt that keeping your scores in tip-top shape can save you a lot of hassle and money in the future.

Unsecured Bad Credit Cards: Are there any worth carrying?

March 18th, 2013 by Jason Bushey

The answer may surprise you but, YES - if you have bad credit, unsecured cards for bad credit can cost you in the short term but save you some serious cash over the long haul when used correctly.

This isn't the first time we've brought up the pros of bad credit credit cards, but with so few defenders in their corner we decided it was worth an updated look at two of the most popular unsecured options for poor credit available on the market today.

Credit Cards for Bad Credit in 2013: The Best and Worst Options for Consumers

January 10th, 2013 by Jason Bushey

We've had a lot to say about bad credit credit cards over the years, but with a new year comes new cards, new issuers and new options.

Why "Bad Credit" Credit Cards Get a Bad Rap

August 17th, 2012 by Elisabeth Chan

Credit card companies that issue bad credit credit cards have been getting a lot of bad press over the past few years. Extremely high interest rates coupled with higher fees than your average credit card make them an easy target for those that believe these products are "evil" and should either be done away with for good or regulated even more than they already are. While credit cards for bad credit certainly have higher interest rates and fees than most consumer credit cards, the reality is that they actually provide a much-needed service for millions of Americans trying to rebuild their credit. Without them, a huge market of consumers would be left underserved.   But why do the interest rates and fees have to be so darn high?  It's not rocket science— the answer is quite simple to understand.

Ask Creditnet: Using Credit Cards to Finance Medical Expenses

November 14th, 2011 by Joshua Heckathorn

Dear Creditnet: I want to get eye surgery, but I was told I need to have a credit card to be able to set up a payment plan. Unfortunately, I'm already in debt, have bad credit, and I can't seem to get approved for any credit cards right now. I do have a stable job, but $7,000 is too much to pay in one lump sum. I really need to get this surgery. Is there any credit card that will approve me?

Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit

July 18th, 2011 by Joshua Heckathorn

One of the most common questions I receive from Creditnet readers is "How can I rebuild my bad credit?"  My responses generally include several suggestions, but the first recommendation I give is always the same- you need to build positive payment history. Sure, there are quite a few other tricks you can try that may provide short-term credit score boosts, but building positive payment history will have more of a lasting effect on your FICO scores than anything else.

Three Essential Steps To Improve Your Credit

July 12th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

 

Credit scores. . . To many of us, they seem like arbitrary numbers that can be frustratingly impossible to manipulate. To others, credit scores are quite the opposite; understanding and improving them has become a challenge from which many financial benefits can flow. When I sit down with a client who has been dealing with less-than-wonderful credit, they usually know which financial mishaps and choices got them there. And although time and the responsible use of credit cards for bad credit should help them finally regain control, understanding what makes up a credit score could have kept them out of trouble in the first place.

The Misconceptions of Prepaid Cards

April 28th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

Let’s face it, the credit industry is complex and confusing. Hundreds of credit cards offer different ratios for miles, points, percentages of cash back, and other rewards. And now that we’ve gone through a roller coaster of a recession, getting approved for these cards may seem impossible for many of us. I work daily with clients who want and need the use of a credit card. As many of their financial situations have been pummeled, rebuilding credit is the first step they must take. One of the most common misconceptions about credit that I encounter centers around three words: prepaid credit cards.