Credit
Top 10 States for Identity Theft: New Website Offers In-Depth Information About Identity Protection
Identity theft is a national problem, but some states have far more consumer complaints than others, with Florida, Georgia and California topping the list. IdentityProtection.com, a new website powered by Equifax, takes an in-depth look at each of the top 10 states for identity theft, examining state and metro area statistics, examples of widespread […]
How to End a Bad Relationship with Your Credit Card
Your credit card may be your best friend when it comes to long shopping trips, booking vacations and your weekly manicure and pedicure sessions, but when the end of the month rolls around and your bill comes due, you may realize that your relationship with credit is more toxic than beneficial. A healthy and […]
Common Money Blunders that Make it Difficult to Save
Most people can admit to money or budgeting mistakes that they’ve made once or twice, but for others, certain habits may have developed into a repetitive cycle of bad behavior. A mistake here and there can create a bump in the road when trying to save money, pay down credit card debt or eliminate student […]
New Credit Scoring Model Could Boost Consumers’ Scores
Has your credit been affected by late payments? Or are you trying to rebuild your credit after being unemployed for months? Well, I have good news for you. A new scoring system that could help you boost your credit score is now available. This new credit scoring model doesn’t factor in debts that went into […]
Lowering Your Interest Rate Can Help Reduce Credit Card Debt
Getting bogged down with credit card debt can be a stressful experience. However, there are ways that you can improve your situation, one being reducing your credit card’s interest rate. While not guaranteed to work, you can achieve this by calling the customer service number on the back of your card and asking for a […]
4 Easy Ways to Get Involved in America Saves Week and Save Successfully
Don’t Be a Victim of Credit Report Errors
As you may have heard, a Federal Trade Commission study showed that 5 percent of credit reports have mistakes that could lead consumers to pay more for loans, insurance and other financial products. This fact is not surprising, as we can’t expect millions of credit reports to be perfect. And having an error on your […]
How Do You Handle Your First Credit Card?
Whether you are going away to college and opening a credit card for emergencies, or getting your first card for another reason, it will be a new experience. With a credit card comes financial responsibility, and you need to know how to appropriately handle your first card. Make sure you understand the terms: One of […]
Steps to Achieving a Perfect Credit Score
How to Pay Off Excessive Credit Card Debt
Relying too much on credit to get by has left many people in a position where they are now struggling to catch up. Credit card debts pile up and minimum payments increase. This can cause problems when your payments start to exceed what you can afford to pay in any given month. In order to […]
8 Ways to Make the Most of Your Holiday Bonus
No matter where you work, there’s always a glimmer of hope you’ll find something extra in your paycheck around the holidays. In the event such dreams actually do come true, a windfall of cash can make us do some strange things. Suddenly, even the most frugal shopper is looking for any excuse to spend their […]
Don’t Let Poor Credit Prevent You From Getting a Job
Those 3 Not So Little Numbers…Does Your Credit Score Need an Adjustment?
No one likes to think about financial planning when the holidays are here, but the end of the year is one of the prime periods to start preparing for next year’s financial goals. While saving more money and paying off your credit card balances are typically on the “to-do” list, bumping up your credit score […]
How To Get a Passing Grade When You’re Unschooled in Student Credit Cards
Student Credit Card Tips – How Students Can Prevent Credit Card Debt. If you sauntered through the middle of a college campus a decade ago, you might have been inundated by the art of tabling—clever marketing ploys where credit card issuers would set up booths and lure students with free swag in exchange for filling […]
The Barclaycard MasterCard: Equality in Your Plastic Relationship
By Credit Card Select Successful relationships hinge on the interplay of give and take. A partner who is too headstrong, controlling, and demanding can plant toxic seeds into unions, and given time, will fester into disaster. The same goes for the relationship you have with your plastic. All too often, consumers can find themselves feeling […]
Frightening Fact –Over 9 Million People Have Had Their Identity Stolen
Credit fraud and identity theft is a rampant problem, so much so that this week has been dubbed Protect Your Identity Week. In honor of this necessary awareness campaign I wanted to take a look at credit monitoring services and lend some tips for safeguarding your credit, finances, and identity. You can read about credit […]
Are Retail Reward Cards Really Helping you Save?
by April Lewis-Parks Nearly every financial professional will list coupons, discounts and perks as smart strategies for cutting down costs. After all, you wouldn’t pay full-price for a new dress if you could find the same one for half price. The problem is that this line of thinking doesn’t always apply when it comes to […]
What’s in Your Credit Report?
Want to buy that house for your kids to grow up in? Or even just rent that car for a weekend getaway? You had better make sure your credit report and credit score will hold up to scrutiny. Payment history, number of accounts and age of oldest account are all huge factors in lenders and […]
How Do Credit Card Penalties Work?
by April Lewis-Parks Credit card penalties can be scary and confusing. Asking your bank to explain the different penalties to you doesn’t help much, as they will tell you to read your statements and contracts. But with all the fine print and legal terminology, how are you supposed to know what you will end up […]
Let the (Budgeted) Fall Shopping Season Begin!
by April Lewis-Parks Temperatures are getting lower and soon the leaves will start changing, which can only mean one thing: Fall is nearly here! For most people, the fall season brings pumpkins, cozy sweaters and cool nights to mind. For others, it signals the time to put away their summer wardrobe and prepare for sweater […]