Credit Cards

Credit Cards

5 Ways to Save Money with Credit Cards

May 2nd, 2012 by Joshua Heckathorn

Credit card issuers proved to us in 2011 that they are once again prepared to compete for the best customers by offering some amazing sign-up bonuses. Based on what we've seen so far this year, I think we can expect to see more of the same throughout 2012, but taking advantage of sign-up bonuses and earning rewards for the money you spend aren't the only ways you can profit from credit cards. Here are 5 ways credit cards can actually help keep more cash in your bank account this year:

Spring Clean Your Credit in 5 Easy Steps

April 30th, 2012 by Joshua Heckathorn

Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation. For many, there's just something about the spring season that makes us want to declutter life and move forward with a fresh start. This might include scrubbing the entire house from floor to ceiling or finally getting around to cleaning out piles of junk from the old attic. But what about all the financial clutter that makes its way into our lives? Shouldn't it get some attention too?

Would You Pay the Mortgage or Credit Cards?

April 27th, 2012 by Joshua Heckathorn

Here are some interesting credit facts to contemplate while you take your Friday-morning coffee break. Prepare yourself, because I know you're excited! According to TransUnion's most recent Credit Risk Index (CRI), the amount of credit risk taken on by consumers is rising for the first time since its peak in 2009, and the driving factor is mortgage delinquency. Apparently the numbers of homeowners who were at least 60-days late on their mortgage began to rise again during the 4th quarter of 2011. Check out the chart below which shows how the CRI has moved since 2005.

Ask Creditnet: Pay Off Credit Cards vs. Installment Loan

March 26th, 2012 by Joshua Heckathorn

Dear Creditnet: Will it be better for my credit scores if I pay down my credit card debt (I have about $8000 in balances) or pay off an installment loan of $10,000? I am looking to buy a home in the next year and I need to improve my credit score about 50 points. - Pete from GA

Why FAFSA Denied Me Over $9

March 2nd, 2012 by Logan Abbott

I'm sad to say I was immediately rejected when I applied for a student loan through FAFSA a few months ago. The reason: I had a credit card bill that was beyond 180 days late. And just what was my unpaid balance? A skimpy $9...ugh! Unfortunately, I had completely forgotten about a small purchase I made on eBay several months prior. I had racked up interest in the amount of $4 and some change, a bunch of negative marks on my credit reports, and then I was forced to deal with the whole hassle of getting denied for a graduate school loan I really needed. All of that pain for 9 bucks.

Will You Pay the Tax Man with Plastic?

February 23rd, 2012 by Joshua Heckathorn

IRS Form 1040 I pay for every expense I possibly can in life with my credit cards, but I've never paid taxes with plastic. Paying the tax man is painful enough in the first place, so I simply can't come to terms with handing over a dime more than I have to for the "convenience" of using a credit card. I'd rather use whatever free method of payment still exists. In fact, e-filing and setting up a free electronic funds withdrawal from my checking account feels just as convenient to me anyway.

Ask Creditnet: Is 0% Credit Utilization Better Than 10%?

January 16th, 2012 by Joshua Heckathorn

Dear Creditnet: I know that my credit utilization ratio makes up a large part of my FICO credit score.  I've also read that it's important to keep my ratio under 30%, or preferably at 10% or less. My question is would it be better to keep my credit utilization ratio at 0% or 10%?  If I pay my balance off every week and my credit utilization is reported at 0%, is that hurting my FICO scores?

The Top Five Myths About FICO Scores

November 7th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

We're all aware of the importance of having great credit scores, but sometimes figuring out how to get that stellar credit score is like cracking the code to the secret sauce at your favorite burger joint. The result is that over the years, dozens of credit scoring myths and misunderstandings have popped up as people have attempted to get their financial lives in order. Here are my top five in descending order.

Prepaid Debit Cards: Fast, Easy to Use, and a Threat to Homeland Security?

September 30th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

While the past few years have been treacherous for the credit card industry, there is one area of the business that has grown dramatically: prepaid debit cards. Consumers have increasingly turned to prepaid debit cards as an easy way to have access to their cash without having to worry about keeping cash on hand.  From parents using it to distribute allowance to their kids, to consumers simply trying to stick to a budget, prepaid debit cards have been a big hit.

Debit Card Fees: Coming to a Wallet Near You

September 8th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

Fees. It’s a word that no one ever wants to hear, but it’s especially shocking to long-time debit card users. Unfortunately for them, it’s also a word they’re hearing more and more often these days, with a budding trend within the banking industry that looks to add monthly fees for debit cards. Wells Fargo has recently joined a growing list of banks that now charge monthly fees for debit card users. And while the fees are usually only between $3-$5 per month, many consumers are outraged at the prospect of paying for their ATM cards.

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