Many consumers aren't aware that, by law, Americans are entitled to one free credit report per year. And for those that are aware of this important fact of finance, fewer still know where they...
Credit Card Tips
Weekly Credit Cards Tips
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How do I get my free credit report?
Aug 06, 2013
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Wait at least 6 months between credit card applications
Jul 31, 2013A common question I receive from Creditnet readers is how long we should wait between credit card applications. Once consumers find out that opening and using a credit card responsibly can help them...
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Identity Theft Tips: Did you know you could stop pre-approved credit card offers?
Jun 27, 2013Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of tips to help Creditnet readers protect themselves against identity theft. Check out last week's article on mixing up your online passwords....
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Identity Theft Tips: Mix up your passwords and make them strong
Jun 20, 2013Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of tips to help Creditnet readers protect themselves against identity theft. Check out last week's article on items you should remove from...
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Identity Theft Tips: Remove these items from your wallet today
Jun 12, 2013Editor's Note: Beginning today, Creditnet.com is starting a new series on how to prevent identity theft. Over the next several weeks, we'll bring you tips on how to prevent ID theft before it...
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College Credit Card Tips for the Class of 2013
May 29, 2013Is any event in life more bittersweet than graduating from college? It's a huge, coming-of-age moment that solidifies four (plus) years of studying, partying and ultimately (and hopefully)...
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Start Your 401K Today!
May 16, 2013I'm ashamed to admit that it took me more than a full year after I was eligible before starting my company's matching 401K plan. I really don't have a good excuse for procrastinating, but...
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Take a Break From Your Credit Score (Really!)
May 10, 2013If there's one thing I've learned in my time as the Editor of Creditnet, it's that your credit score wasn't built in a day, nor will it jump 100 points in the matter of moments. Even...
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Don't bail on your credit card after the bonus
May 03, 2013I've heard from a number of different consumers that they don't like to stick with a credit card for long once they receive the initial sign-up bonus offered by their card. Be it cash back or...
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Leave the tip in cash if you can
Apr 25, 2013I recently read this book called Waiter Rant about a full-time waiter and part-time blogger in NYC. The book hit pretty close to home since I spent what little free time I had available in high...
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Keep your credit cards off public computers
Apr 19, 2013There aren't a ton of us who use public computers; you know, the ones you find at libraries and ... well, libraries. But to some degree even the computer you use at work is a semi-public computer...
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Can I ask my credit card company to lower my interest?
Apr 11, 2013Sometimes it's the most obvious questions that provide the best answers. If you're racking your brain on how to pay down your credit card debt despite high interest, it might have occurred to...
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What is Chip and PIN technology? (And when does it come in handy?)
Apr 02, 2013You may have heard the term "Chip and PIN" technology before, maybe on our site or elsewhere while skimming the morning news. Odds are, you had no idea what that was, and you may have just...
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Can a credit card save you $100 on one purchase?
Mar 21, 2013There are credit cards out there - particularly those offering a $100 cash back bonus when you spend $500 within the first three months - that can save you at least $100 on just one purchase. Granted...
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ALWAYS put authorization charges on your credit card
Mar 13, 2013Depending on what kind of plastic you use, authorization charges can be either an invisible you charge that's gone before you notice, or an impressive pain that will have you scrambling for a...
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Should you sign up for a "theme" credit card?
Mar 07, 2013Theme credit cards are credit cards attached to household brand names and interests that mostly serve a niche audience; Disney, the NFL, Williams-Sonoma, things like that. Theme or "Specialty...
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Why prepaid cards are the best kinds of plastic to send your kids on a trip with
Feb 25, 2013Prepaid cards serve multiple purposes, the most important of which include consolidating your cash and teaching your kids how to use plastic wisely. However, one of their most practical...
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What to pay down first: your credit card, or your car loan?
Feb 15, 2013Determining which of your debts to pay off first can be tricky. Sure, it might seem like paying off your car loan and finally owning that car, paid-in-full, is the right idea. But the answer really...
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Don't ask a potential love interest what their credit score is … not on the first date, anyways
Feb 08, 2013Back in December, the New York Times published an article detailing the sharp rise in interest when it comes to a possible love connection's credit score. And while many were surprised by the...
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Checking your own score? Don't worry - it won't hurt your credit
Jan 31, 2013We've touched on this in the past, but a common question we get from our values users is, "Does it hurt my credit when I check my own score?" The answer is No. And her's why......
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Consider a fixed rate payment plan with your gas company
Jan 25, 2013Alright, I may live in San Diego but I'm actually from Vermont, so I know when it's time to turn on the heat. (The answer is usually Halloween, but exceptions have been made.) And as someone...
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Go paperless, save a tree and earn rewards
Jan 17, 2013After walking in last night to find yet another stack of my roommate's mail sitting on the counter, I started to wonder why he got so much more mail than I did. Sure, most of it was junk, but I...
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When should you apply for a new credit card?
Jan 11, 2013With every new year comes reflection and resolve; for many of us, part of that self-improvement plan we promised ourselves might include ditching that high interest credit card for a new, flashier,...
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Don't let banking fees go unnoticed
Jan 02, 2013Scanning through your checking account can be particularly challenging in late-December. Between holiday gifts, trips home and anything else that may come up during this crazy (and expensive) time of...
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Don't wait to pay off your holiday debt!
Dec 20, 2012A new survey out today suggested that consumers borrowed very little to make their holiday shopping purchases this season, and what they did spend they plan on paying back very quickly in 2013. Our...
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Waking up your credit cards from slumber in 2013
Dec 13, 2012One myth we've covered numerous times on Creditnet is the idea that simply owning a credit card will help you improve credit. And while that's initially true, in order to accrue some real...
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Diversify your wallet with different kinds of credit cards
Dec 06, 2012You may have just one credit card in your wallet - or you may have several. But no matter how many credit cards you choose to carry in your wallet, you should make sure you're diversifying the...
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Holiday shopping isn't a reason to take out a Payday Loan
Nov 29, 2012We've written time and again about the risks of Payday Loans, but it's worth a refresher with the holidays in full swing. PayDay loans are for real emergencies, and can be a credit (and...
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Find out how your credit card will reward you most this holiday season
Nov 18, 2012Did you know that credit card companies are offering gifts this holiday season, too? OK, maybe "spending incentives" is more accurate, but they could lead to some free gifts down the road....
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Beware of Double Negatives on Your Credit Report
Sep 25, 2012The only thing that's worse than a negative account on your credit reports is a negative account that shows up twice. Unfortunately, double entries can happen quite easily in the credit reporting...
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Poor Credit Scores Influence More Than Lenders
Sep 13, 2012People with good credit are finding it difficult to get many types of loans these days, especially mortgages. For those with poor or damaged credit, the task is even more daunting. But what about...
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Avoid Credit Card Cancellations Due to Inactivity
Aug 23, 2012If you haven't used one of your credit cards for months or even years, don't be surprised when you receive a letter in the mail notifying you of an account cancellation. Some credit issuers may be...
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Employer Credit Checks Don't Hurt Credit Scores
Aug 01, 2012It's no secret that some employers will conduct credit checks as part of their hiring process. Whether or not you agree with it, it happens all the time. However, many people seem to believe that...
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Experian Only Includes Positive AU Accounts
Jul 23, 2012Adding a child or spouse as an authorized user to one of your credit cards, also known as piggybacking, can help them build credit. Of course, that's as long as you continue to maintain a low...
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Building Credit with Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Apr 23, 2012Nobody wants to deal with repairing damaged credit, but the truth is many of us are just one serious illness or job loss away from a credit nightmare. And while it can take years of responsible...
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Register for Small Business Saturday and Get $25 from Amex
Nov 17, 2011Small Business Saturday 2011 is just one week away, so don't forget to register your American Express card this week! Trust us, you don't want to miss out on this opportunity. After registering, all...
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Online Holiday Shopping: 5 Tips for Bargain Hunters
Nov 13, 2011Black Friday ignites a sense of unbridled excitement in many holiday shopaholics. For the rest of us, it's cause for nothing more than another good reason to stay close to home, sit by the fire and...
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How to Deal with New Annual Fees
Oct 10, 2011You're a responsible credit card user. You live within your means and pay your balances in full each month. It's likely you even have several credit cards in your wallet, although the...
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Paying Taxes on Credit Card Rewards
Sep 28, 2011Expecting a big check this year from your cash back credit card? We hope so. If you are, you may also be wondering if this is considered income and taxable by the IRS. While it's no secret that...
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Will Breaking a Lease Hurt My Credit?
Sep 14, 2011Breaking your lease may seem like the easiest way out of an apartment you can no longer afford, but it's important to remember that it could do some major damage to your credit scores too. Breaking...
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