Weekly Tip: Don't lose those hard-earned rewards points

You worked hard to get good credit, which in turn means you’ve worked hard for that high rewards credit card. You’ve also worked really hard to get those points/miles/cash back that come with your rewards credit card. So why on earth would you let them out of your grasp? Thanks to Jason Steele of Credit.com, here are some tips for keeping a hold of those precious points.

Updated by Alice Bryant on Mon, 2013-09-16 16:58

Crime Pays: Thieves Run Up $31,000 on Government Credit Card

by Alice Bryant on September 10, 2013

Just last May it was discovered that thieves had gained access to a Pennsylvania county government credit card and racked up $31,000 dollars worth of gasoline over the last calendar year. How that much dough slips under the radar, I don't know.

My first thought was since card holders aren't responsible for fraudulent charges, the county won't have anything to worry about. But while these luxuries exist for personal accounts, businesses aren't so lucky.

Weekly Tip: How To Keep From Splurging

Sometimes when you have a problem, the best way to eliminated is to do just that, eliminate it. But if your problem is you use too much of your credit limit every month and have a hard time paying it back, eliminating your credit isn’t the best option.

If you ask your bank to lower your credit limit thinking that it will be a good deterrent from going buck wild with that magic free-money card, just take a step back and think about the consequences that action might have on your credit.

Updated by Alice Bryant on Fri, 2013-09-06 14:24

Five Credit Cards for Back-To-School Savings

September 4th, 2013 by Alice Bryant

While the days of summer get a little shorter and that school supply list gets a little longer, here’s five credit cards that will help you save on those inevitable back-to-school expenses.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Saving Money On Game Day Expenses

August 30th, 2013 by Alice Bryant

Football season is right around the corner and whether your favorite team is in the college or pro ranks, you’re probably pretty excited. Your checking account might not share your enthusiasm, however.

But fear not, there are definitely ways to enjoy your team while cutting down expenses.

Where to watch

Weekly Tip: How to stay financially safe on vacation

With the long Labor Day weekend coming up, here are some tips for keeping your financial information, including credit cards, safe during your travels.

1) Take inventory

Just like packing your suitcase, packing your wallet is a strategic step to take on your way to paradise. Here’s a checklist:

ATM/Debit card
Two major, widely accepted credit cards

Updated by Alice Bryant on Thu, 2013-08-29 12:40

Mythbusting: Carrying a Balance Helps Your Credit Score

August 27th, 2013 by Alice Bryant

The internet is a big place full of a lot of information, but like most of us know (hopefully all of us will know someday) not all of that information is always true. Today we'll look at the myth that carrying a balance on your credit card can actually boost your credit.

The question "Does carrying a balance help your credit?" brings up almost three and a half million search results, so obviously a few people are curious about if that rumor has any truth.

Credit Card Fees and How to Avoid Them

Here's how to avoid credit card fees without too much hassle.

Banks like money, fees make money, banks like fees. That's what makes the world turn, but if you can be vigilant and avoid these fees, you'll need to get a bigger mattress to stuff all this extra cash under. Here's a list of the different ways banks try to drain you dry and different ways to avoid them.

Updated by Jason Bushey on Thu, 2013-08-22 10:47

Balance Transfer Cards for Climbing Out of Debt

August 21st, 2013 by Jason Bushey

You never thought you’d need a lengthy promotional zero interest period on a balance transfer credit card, but you signed up for one of those infamous store credit cards to try to rack up some rewards, but before you could say triple-points three times fast, you’re a couple grand in debt on a card with ridiculously high interest.

Don’t worry, you aren’t the first.

Campaign in Seattle could raise minimum wage to $15

by Alice Bryant on August 21, 2013

Washington already owns the highest state minimum wage in the country at $9.19 an hour, but retail clerks, baristas and food service workers are pushing a movement to get out from underneath the poverty line.

A higher minimum wage eliminates low wage jobs because that's how small businesses cut costs and that ends up hurting the people it was supposed to benefit, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.