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Earth Day 2011-Ten Ways to Go Green and Save Money

April 22nd, 2011 by Logan Abbott

With Earth Day 2011 upon us, the recent meteoric rise in gas prices remains a major focus.   Personally, every time I drive by a gas station my anxiety level causes me to hyperventilate and lose consciousness (thankfully my dog Buster knows to seize the wheel in such situations). In any case, with gas prices what they are these days, has there ever been a better time to live a greener lifestyle and save a little money to boot?  Here are 10 great ways to give your credit cards some rest and rediscover your eco-conscious side at the same time.

Say Cheese to Photo Credit Card Technology

April 21st, 2011 by Logan Abbott

The future of mobile credit card readers and NFC embedded phones is just around the corner, but in the mean time retailers can make use of their phones to perform picture perfect transactions. A new credit card iPhone app from AisleBuyer allows merchants the ability to process a payment simply by snapping a picture of the front of a credit card. This photo card capture technology uses proprietary optical character recognition (OCR) to discern the card number from the other information and background of the card.

The Pros & Cons of Using a Credit Card in Emergency Situations

April 19th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

A wise man once told me "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."  Or maybe that's just a popular saying? In any event, unforeseen situations can spring up at any moment, and sometimes they force you to reach for your credit card at the least opportune times. While it's impossible to predict emergency situations before they happen, at the very least you can arm yourself with knowledge of the pros and cons of using your credit card to charge your way out of life's little mishaps. Here's a run-down of a common sticky situation, and how credit cards can and cannot help.

How the Credit CARD Act Helps You

April 13th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

 

In an effort to create greater transparency between customers and credit card companies, the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD) introduces consumer-friendly litigation that regulates how banks control credit card fees. Notably, the new law standardizes how a bank can increase interest rates, change introductory offers and delinquent payments.

VISA Contactless is Quickest Payment Method Ever

April 7th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

 

Ever since credit cards began featuring magnetic strips to hold personal information electronically, there has been very little innovation in terms of the way payments are processed by merchants.  Now, fifty years after the advent of magnetic strips, it seems the credit card industry is ready to take its next big leap forward. The good ol' mates down in Australia have recently unleashed an exciting new technology that may provide a glimpse into the future of credit cards.  The new innovation is called "Visa Contactless", and it works in conjunction with consumer iPhones.

How to Protect Your Credit Card from Smartphone Hackers

March 29th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

If you're at all like me, your computer is teeming with antivirus software, spyware guards, privacy alerts, and other enhanced security features.  It's what helps me sleep at night.  And if you're like me, you also rarely think twice about enacting the same kind of security measures on your smartphone. Maybe it's because I still think of my phone as, well, a phone, and not a personal database of extremely sensitive personal information, like social security numbers and credit card data.  In reality, however, our smartphones are pocket-sized treasure chests for identity pirates.

Paying Taxes with a Credit Card Isn't Worth It

March 24th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

Thinking about paying your federal taxes with your credit card? Think again. While the Internal Revenue Service will accept credit card payments for taxes due, the IRS works with third-party collectors who charge a service fee per transaction.

Financial Spring Cleaning: A System to Organize Your Finances

March 14th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

Daylight Saving Time is upon us and spring is right around the corner.   As the yearly weather cycle starts anew, you’re most likely trying to find motivation for spring cleaning and, once again, getting your life in order.  We may not have any advice on how to better organize your house, but we do have a system to get your finances in order.

Zip Codes and Credit Cards: Security or Marketing Scam?

March 8th, 2011 by Logan Abbott

Giving your zip code along with a credit card purchase is common practice. It happens at the grocery store, at the gas station, at some of your favorite clothing shops. Most of us don't think twice about it; other more paranoid patrons will give a fake zip if they can get away with it. But what are those paranoid purchasers so scared of? Why do stores ask for your zip code in the first place?

7 Tips for Getting Your First Credit Card

March 3rd, 2011 by Logan Abbott

So you've finally decided to join the real world and open up your first credit card. Congratulations! No, seriously, you're making an excellent decision.  While you may be disappointed that the simplicity of life without any bills is over, you'll be patting yourself on the back in a few years when you realize the good credit score you've built up has given you greater financial flexibility to make major life purchases. That is, if you use your credit wisely.  Credit cards can be a responsible user's best friend, but a living nightmare for those who are careless with their spending habits. So how can you make sure your credit card is a positive force in your life?  Here are seven great tips on getting your first credit card and starting your credit off right.

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