» Credit News Center
Credit Card Offers: Is It Me or Are Some Credit Card Companies Crazy?
So you get a pre-approved credit card offer in the mail from some credit card company. The offer states that you are pre approved for a Gold card. Simply accept the offer and you will receive your card in a few days. But wait! There’s more... Read more
Credit Cards: "Come on Gorilla... We in Manila"
Ladies, gentleman, and credit cards… This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for... 10 to 12 years of credit card debt drama to decide the middleweight consumer credit championship of the world. In this corner weighing in at let’s say 160 pounds stands you. In the other corner weighing in at .20 ounces stands your credit card. Will you go the distance?... Read more
Credit Basics
What is Credit Anyway? Credit is a privilege and a convenience. It is defined as "a reputation for sound character or quality -standing; influence based on the good opinion or confidence of others; reputation for solvency and integrity entitling a person to be trusted in buying or borrowing; an arrangement for deferred payment of a loan or purchase; and the time allowed for deferred payment..." Read more
Credit Security
To protect yourself against loss or theft of credit, sign your credit card immediately so no one else can use it. File the papers that came with your card in a safe place... Read more
Citibank Credit Cards: "What We Have Here is Failure to Communicate"
Citibank credit cards and their parent company Citigroup are an interesting study. How many of you remember the classic movie Cool Hand Luke? In Cool Hand Luke, Luke (played by legendary actor and philanthropist Paul Newman) gets arrested for cutting the heads off of parking meters after a night of drinking. As a result, Luke finds himself in a Florida prison camp run by a brutal Captain and his coalition of rough-neck prison guards... Read more
How to Establish Good Credit
How do you establish your credit history in today's tough economy? Even if you've never made a major purchase, there are several ways to start building a good credit history... Read more
If Credit Cards Had Teeth Would You Swim With Them?
Swim with credit cards you ask? Do you remember the movie Jaws? In an early scene, contrary to the wishes of Chief Brody (played by the late Roy Scheider) Mayor Vaughn of the fictional town of Amity ordered that the local beaches remain open on the Fourth of July despite the fact that a huge great white shark was feeding in the local waters. As expected, the 3 ton great white shark swam in on cue and took his victim from the beech leaving beachgoers traumatized. I only mention this because it is often how many of us deal with credit cards... Read more
How to Reduce Credit Card Debt in 3 Simple Steps
You may be surprised to learn how easy it can be to reduce your credit card debt. With the average American household carrying $8400 in credit card debt a simple reduction plan could save thousands of dollars... Read more
Maintaining Good Credit
How you handle your credit cards and other loans affects your creditworthiness. Remember to use your credit responsibly and be sensitive to the terms of the payment agreements you made when you established your accounts. Whether you choose to pay the total outstanding balance on your bills each month or just the minimum payment due, your payment must reach the financial institution or business by the payment due date. Your payment due date is typically within two or three days of the same time every month... Read more
How to Choose the Best Secured Credit Card
Choosing the best secured credit card for your situation is no simple task. There are literally hundreds of issuers offing secured credit cards. Before selecting a secured credit card you will need to remain mindful of the reason you are applying. Be sure to select the secured card that will best match your financial situation such as your income and your ability to repay.... Read more