Archive for the ‘Credit Cards’ Category

7 Tips for Getting Your First Credit Card

March 3rd, 2011 Ryan Parker No Comments »

The usual look of joy upon receiving your first credit card.

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.

7 Credit Card Tips for First Timers

1. Find the car Full Article

Share
Tags: Card, Credit Card, First Credit, First Credit Card

Top 5 Funniest Celebrity Credit Card Ads

February 26th, 2011 Ryan Parker No Comments »

With the 2011 Oscars fast approaching, the glamorous lives of Hollywood celebrities are on the forefront of American consciousness. Why does this have anything to do with the credit card industry? Because celebrities have always been the go-to spokespersons for credit cards over the years.

Allow us to conduct our own form of the Academy Awards. Without further ado, here are the top 5 credit card ads featuring celebrities OF ALL TIME!

5. Pierce Brosnan- VISA

Not only does this commercial feature a dapper Pierce Brosnan in his James Bond days, but also a surprise appearance by Mad Men star Christina Hendricks before she made it big.

4. Ellen Degeneres- American Express

Rarely are commercials charming and hilarious at the same time, but Ellen Degeneres makes it look easy in this awesome ad.

3. Full Article

Share
Tags: Card, Credit Card

Airline Reward Benefits Soar to New Heights

February 23rd, 2011 Ryan Parker No Comments »

New rules enacted by Congress over the last few years have resulted in credit card issuers scaling back on their reward programs. Travel rewards, one of the most popular categories, was hit hard with more miles or points required for redemption and fewer earning opportunities. On top of that, new fees for baggage and snacks have caused even more consumers to shun airline reward cards.  But with issuers revamping their programs, consumers may find good reason to reconsider them, especially frequent fliers. Even with an annual fee, the changes may make it worth taking another look.

Reward cards in the third quarter of 2010 accounted for approximately 40% of 1.2 billion credit card offers issued, up 30% from 2009. Airlines, in an attempt to lure more of these consumers, are extending money-saving benefits. For ex

Full Article

Share
Tags: New, New Heights

Debit vs Credit: A Cage Match

February 18th, 2011 Ryan Parker No Comments »

Upon entering the ring, the debit card and the credit card look pretty evenly matched. They are the same size and the same shape. Their functions are also similar: electronically transferring money from one owner to another.

But when pitted against each other in a head-to-head match, who will come out on top?

Round One: Versatility

Debit cards destroy credit cards when it comes to availability. Nearly anyone can get a debit card – even if you have a bad credit score or no credit history whatsoever. Conversely, credit card companies are notoriously selective of who can get a card, and (especially in today’s economic climate) it’s not getting any easier.

But when it comes to versatility, it’s a much closer match. Debit cards are directly tied to how much money you have in your bank account. If you Full Article

Share
Tags: Cage Match, Match

Give the Gift of Good Credit This Valentine’s Day

February 15th, 2011 Ryan Parker No Comments »

You have amazing credit. Your Valentines’s credit stinks.

It’s a common occurrence these days, but did you know it’s one that you can easily do something about?

Forget about the overpriced stuffed animals, waxy chocolate, and expensive dinners this Valentine’s day, and give your partner something that will really change his/her future forever. Lend your excellent credit score! Here’s how:

Piggybacking, a technique that allows those with good credit to boost other’s credit scores by adding them as an authorized user, stills works. If you haven’t heard the term before, it’s nothing new.  In fact, parents have used the method for a long time to help their children build good credit.  Unfortunately,

Full Article

Share
Tags: Day, Valentine’s Day

Debit Card Rewards – A Thing of The Past?

February 12th, 2011 Ryan Parker No Comments »

Last year was tough for the banking industry with new laws requiring that customers opt in — not out — if they wanted overdraft protection. This provision took a bite out of what had been a $35 billion profit center. In addition, Washington continues to look at lenders and banks for ways to help consumers, many of which have a negative impact on the industries’ bottom line.

As a result, the days of big rewards may be soon a thing of the past. But for consumers who hope to earn rewards for using their debit card the end may just around the corner. With the prospect of new legislation that would limit the amount banks can charge, lenders are looking at eliminating or offering smaller rewards for debit card use.

Why debit cards will cost lenders more
The Federal Reserve’s financial overhaul bill took a big bite out of the revenue that lenders made for over-the-limit and late payment infraction penalties and other fees. But one p

Full Article

Share

What Are Credit Card Hackers?

February 8th, 2011 Ryan Parker No Comments »

Hackers break into computers or computer networks for a variety of reasons. Some do it illegally for profit, some are paid to do it legally, and others simply do it for the challenge. Credit card hackers, however, do their dirty deed with only one thing in mind—stealing your credit card information to make money.

Ever heard of Lush, the handmade cosmetic company that sells all sorts of interesting bath and shower products? Their UK website was recently hacked and may have exposed the credit card information of every customer that purchased a product online between October 2010 and January 2011.

Once customers started posting on Lush’s Facebook page that their stolen credit cards had been used to make unauthorized purchases, the company eventually decided to shut down the entire UK site and issue an email on January 21st notifying everyone that was potentially exposed to the breach. Of

Full Article

Share
Tags: Credit Card, Hackers

Five Top iPhone Apps for Credit Card Users

February 4th, 2011 Ryan Parker No Comments »

With the Verizon iPhone preorder already in full swing, it’s only a matter of time before the whole world will seem to own one.  New users will quickly find that the word “smartphone” falls well short of adequately describing the capabilities of these mighty mini-machines from Palo Alto.

The convenience of the iPhone 4 is nowhere more apparent than in the credit card industry.  There’s a plethora of highly useful apps that pertain to finance and credit cards, so grab your iPhone, slide your finger over to the app store, and download one of these handy programs.

Square

Square is a truly amazing app that allows vendors to swipe their customer’s credit cards from anywhere. Once you download the free app, you’ll also receive a free magnetic credit card reader that connects to your iPhone through its headphone jack. The app proce

Full Article

Share
Tags: Users
Page 9 of 38« First...7891011...2030...Last »
Sample banner 250x250