Nov
2
Debit cards have their downside
November 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Credit cards are no longer the fashionable plastic to use. Debit cards are in now. As more Americans shun traditional credit cards, they're turning to debit cards. But there are downsides to debit cards as well. Security: If your credit card is stolen, you're not responsible for unauthorized charges over $50. But if your debit-card [...]
Oct
16
Now even churches take credit cards
October 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
So you're light on cash. No worries. These days, everything from Salvation Army kettles and churches to DVD rental machines and subway systems will take your plastic and more are coming on board every day. It used to be that for some things you just had to use cash. Not anymore. Retailers and service providers [...]
Jan
2
New Year's Resolution Number 1 – Pay Off Your Credit Cards
January 2, 2009 | 1 Comment
The new year is a time for a fresh start. I have a suggestion for new year's resolution: pay off your credit cards. The economy isn't looking to good in 2009. People have lost their jobs and more will lose their jobs this year as the economy continues to free fall. So what can you [...]
Nov
5
Credit Card Rates Going Up
November 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
If you're like millions of Americans you may be getting a surprise. You're credit card company is probably raising your APR (interest rate). What should you do? Don't Carry a Balance I use a credit card but don't care about the APR. How can that be? Am I too rich to care? No, I just [...]
Aug
19
Debit Card Security – How To Keep Your Information Private
August 19, 2008 | 1 Comment
Many people carry their debit card PIN around in their wallets or purses. Because they have so many credit cards and debit cards they have to write down the pin number of each one. That's a bad idea. Here are a few tips to manage and protect your banking information. Don't Carry Around Your PIN [...]
Jul
21
How Long Should I Keep Credit Card Statements?
July 21, 2008 | 1 Comment
Have a pile of credit card statements? Find out how long you need to keep your old statements and why. When deciding what financial records to keep and what to throw away, there are several important criteria. Do you use your credit card for business expenses? Do you have any tax deductible purchases? If you [...]
Jul
14
More people are using a debit card to pay for hotel rooms than ever before. There are many reasons people use debit cards. However, I recommend using credit cards instead of debit cards. Debit cards have become much more popular. Many people pay with debit cards instead of credit cards as a way to avoid [...]
Jun
5
Yahoo Music billed me for another year of their music service without my permission. They refused to refund my money so I turned to my last line of defense, my credit card company. Credit Cards have a bad reputation. Some of it is deserved. Like alcohol and casinos, credit cards are bad for certain people. [...]
Apr
23
Why Debt is Risky
April 23, 2008 | 2 Comments
Debt is bad because with debt comes risk. Debt is risky for businesses and people. Debt, if used correctly, can be powerful tool. However, in too many cases, debt is used improperly and the consequences are unhappiness, stress, bankruptcy and divorce. Attitudes About Debt Have Changed I’ve already talked about how our attitudes about debt [...]
Apr
22
Why Is Debt No Longer a Bad Thing?
April 22, 2008 | 1 Comment
I am not a fan of debt. Most of the good financial gurus will tell you to pay off your debt. Debt is a tool to use when there are no other options. Unfortunately, I think the attitude toward debt has changed for the worse. The Debt Industry There is a debt industry in this [...]