September 21, 2007

There are lots of people who just don't know much about credit cards. And they go bankrupt. I was educated brilliantly - I knew everything about all kinds of credit cards. Was almost expert. But...

I sincerely thought that the whole credit card system really helps people establish a good financial background. I learnt the truth later. When I got into big troubles.

Let me tell you what happened not so long ago. I made a credit card. I addressed to the Discover credit card company since I knew that it is one of the biggest credit card providers that effectively fight against credit card fraud. I relied on them. I was completely confident that they will notice every minor suspicious thing. But my expectations weren't justified.

September 28, 2007

How many times have you promised yourself: next Christmas everything will be different? I'll make a list of all my friends and family, I'll save enough money for presents, I'll make all purchases beforehand.

Next holiday comes, and the scheme repeats again. And again after holidays you end up with huge holes in your pockets, and enormous bills to pay. You keep curing yourself and give another pack of vows.

"Holiday hangover", that's how financial experts call this Almost every adult in America suffers this kind of disease from time to time. From holiday to holiday, to be more precise. And it's quite normal. You just don't have enough time to prepare and foresee everything.

October 05, 2007

College years are associated with fun, carefree attitude to life and independence. However, during this period kids face first serious problems. High school and college students constantly compete with each other, craving to become popular. They go though first love experience, learn to figure out people, and of course they have to deal with financial problems.

Some parents not only pay for their child's college, they also provide their kids with spends for everyday needs. But usually, since a child goes to college, and is treated as an adult, the kid has to solve their personal and financial problems by themselves.

October 26, 2007

A credit card is something you cannot imagine an average American without. And it is quite understandable. These credit products make our everyday life considerably more convenient. However, besides their numerous virtues, credit cards have a number of shortcomings and hide some dangerous pitfalls.

Getting into a credit card debt that can lead you to bankruptcy is a serious misfortune that can shake your financial standing or your even harm your moral health. Of course, if you are a reasonable and wise card holder, do not tend to impulse buying, and if you pay off your balance on time, you almost do not stand a chance to get into debtor's prison.

November 02, 2007

You have a steady white-collar job at some prosperous large company. You are quite satisfied with your income level and your work is just what you have been dreaming of. Most surely the management team offered you to make a corporate credit card deal that covers all your business-related expenses. Isn't it great? You spend money, the company pays for the charges.

Only in case you stick to the right money management policy. Business credit cards might seem the most beneficial offer for a successful business person. Actually, it can lead you to debtor's prison and ruin your carrier if you are not aware of the pitfalls you might come across using your corporate card.

November 09, 2007

Nowadays we can see so many attractive credit card offers such as balance transfers, low APR, no Annual Fee, etc. But doesn't it seem to you that the secret of their popularity is not so much in profitability for the customers, as in profitability for the issuers. Unfortunately, we can't understand it so deeply in theory as much as if we came through all the complications connected with that. We used to admit that everything in this life has to be paid but then again we want to convince ourselves that these excellent credit card offers are REALLY excellent and these attractive promises are true. Indeed, being short of adequate knowledge about usage of credit cards customers make various mistakes, sometimes very serious ones, and admitting these mistakes after all is probably the most upsetting fact.

November 16, 2007

These days, probably, every adult person in this country has credit cards. And there is no need to explain why those little plastic cards make our life more convenient. Everybody knows that. However, the percentage of people, whose educational attainment in the field of personal money management leaves much to be desired.

Nowadays you can find numerous educational supplies, internet sources and other ways to learn how to manage your finances right. Consumer Union, for instance, is a nonprofit, independent organization created to serve and protect consumers, is a great source of information.

November 27, 2007

When you apply for a credit card you always look for the deal that brings you the most benefit. You want to get best rewards and low interests rates. In other words, you want to get the most profit while paying as little as possible for the service. So, when you are offered credit card insurance the first thing that comes to mind is "do I really want to pay for it"?

November 30, 2007

Credit card companies extend their sphere of influence onto new market segments. In the attempts to attract more new clients, banks got on to teenagers. Card issuers have designed special credit card programs for adolescent kids. Though credit cards for teens cause contradictory attitudes, such a precedent do exists. And now it is your, parents', headache to move heaven and earth in order to protect your children from starting their independent financial life up to their neck in debt.

The recent banking institutions' buzz around teens was provoked by the last baby boom happened in the nineties. Kids born back then have grown up and now that they are in their teens, card issuers just cannot miss such a rich haul of potential credit consumers. Besides, a survey conducted by a Harris Group showed that adolescents have spent about $ 195 billion of their own "pocket" money in 2006.

December 07, 2007

Credit consumers these days are flooded with enormous information flow on credit cards, their wise use, tips on avoiding credit card traps and so on. In general, all credit-related advisory services are consumer oriented. And that is quite clear, as a credit card itself is a tool that has been designed for practical use in order to make our life more convenient. But actually, there are some other more interesting issues about credit cards you might want to learn.

The information given below is devoted to curious credit card holders, who are always ready to discover something new and go beyond traditional knowledge. So, here are some fascinating facts about credit cards you, probably, had no idea of.