Cashback Credit Cards - Top Tips for Finding the Right One

By Jon Francis

Cashback and reward credit cards are rapidly gaining popularity here in the UK. Imagine being paid to spend money. That's the idea behind a cashback credit card. As credit cards have gained wider and wider acceptance, credit card companies are working hard to convince you that theirs is the best credit card you can carry in your wallet. If you're in the market for a cashback credit card, here are some tips to help you compare and choose the best credit card for you.


Choose a cashback credit card that pays you for purchases you'd normally make anyway. The most valuable cash back offers are those that give you cash back on ALL of your purchases, no matter where you make them.

The highest percentage of cashback isn't always the best deal. Some cards offer you up to 5% cash back, but only on certain purchases, or particular merchants. If those aren't purchases that you'd normally make then it's really not saving you money.

Choose the credit card that works best for you. All cashback cards are not created equal. Some give you immediate discounts on you purchases, some reduce your account balance by the amount of your cash back and some send you cheques or gift cards periodically. Pick a card that rewards you the way you like best.

If you like having a bonus cheque to spend, choose a card that pays out semi-annual or annual dividends. Depending on your spending habits, you can end up with a pretty nest egg to do your Christmas shopping.

A petrol cashback credit card can pay off every time you fill your tank by discounting every litre of petrol that you buy. In addition, many also give you cash back on any purchase made at a petrol station or convenience.

Cashback credit cards that pay you for every pence you spend generally have lower percentage points (.5% is common), but can add up to considerably more cash back for you over the long run if you don't typically patronise a select group of merchants.

If you DO tend to frequent particular merchants, you may find a cashback credit card that rewards you for shopping at those merchants.

Do compare cashback credit cards at comparison websites to be sure you're getting the best APR and rewards you can qualify for. Especially if you tend to carry a balance on your accounts, you may find that interest charges eat up all that lovely cash back.

Be wary of 'shoppers clubs' masquerading as credit cards. These are not the same as credit cards that offer rewards when you use participating merchants. Instead, these cards are only valid at a select group of merchants. Not only are you confined to the premium prices charged by the member merchants, but you'll likely pay premium interest rates.

Jon Francis has been involved in various areas with the world of finance and has a keen eye for a bargin! He has an in-depth knowledge of the credit card UK market and now helps others get the best from a credit card. For more information visit

Choosemyrewards: The New Chase Credit Card Rewards Management Tool

By Russ Nauta

In previous articles, I have discussed travel, cashback, interest-savings, and merchandise rewards programs. These rewards specific cards are geared towards people who are grounded in which type of rewards they would like to earn.

For those who are indecisive or those having different rewards interests at different times of the year, should take an interest in the Chase choosemyrewards program. There are two different flagship cards involved in this program, the Chase Cash Plus Rewards Visa and the Chase Flexible Rewards Visa. Both cards offer 0% APR's for 1 year, and low APR's thereafter. Statistics show however, that the approval rate for the Chase Cash Plus Rewards Visa is higher.

Let's take a minute to explain the choosemyrewards program. Like any other rewards program, there is a point system for both cards. You receive one point for every dollar spent on purchases with each card. When these points are accumulated, you then have the option of redeeming them for a variety of goods or cash. Here is what distinguishes these two cards from all other programs. At any time, you may login to the choosemyrewards page on the Chase server to elect which type of rewards you would like to receive. Choices include merchandise, restaurant gift certificates, retail gift certificates, travel rewards, and with the Chase Cash Plus Rewards Visa up to 5% cashback on purchases.

Many other rewards programs make it very difficult for the consumer to redeem rewards, let alone choose them. Typically, you would have to call up the company, wait on hold to get in touch with the proper customer service representitive, and then listen to them give you your list of options before ultimately processing your decision. With the choosemyrewards program this is not the case. In the mail with your new Chase card, you will receive a login pin number and the web address where you may access your rewards account. After entering your pin number, you may view your points accrued and a list of all rewards options. You may then scroll through the list of options and choose the rewards you would like to receive.

It only gets better. Let's say you logout of your account after you choose your rewards and realize that maybe you didn't really want that gift certificate to Home Depot that you signed up for. Instead you'd like a gift certificate to your favorite restaurant. All you have to do is simply log back in and switch your reward redemption. This is a very simple and painless process and gives you, the consumer much more control.

Many people save their points until the end of the year, because they never expire, and redeem their points to give gift certificates as holiday presents. Others take a trip to a warm place during the winter. Others just simply trump in on a cashback award in the form of a check. Whatever your interest are, or if they change, enrolling in the choosemyrewards program will make your rewards management more user-friendly and thus, much easier.


Russ Nauta is the senior writer and consumer credit information investigator for Credit Card Outlet, a leading online credit card information portal since 2004


Credit Card Outlet features instant approval credit cards, rewards cards, balance transfer cards and low APR cards from major issuing banks.


This article may be reprinted with a published link back to http://www.credit-card-outlet.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russ_Nauta

14 Common Credit Mistakes

By Jeanette Joy Fisher

Establishing credit and wisely managing your credit becomes easier when you know how. You'll feel empowered by taking knowledgeable steps towards good credit, and you'll be on your way to purchasing real estate and greater financial freedom.

If you plan to finance real estate, either as a home buyer or an investor, avoiding these common credit mistakes will help you with your credit score and save you money in loan costs.

14 Common Credit Mistakes

1. Using expensive or undesirable types of credit costs too much and is negatively scored.

2. Accumulating too many lines of credit or too many credit cards causes credit report remarks like "too much consumer credit."

3. Only paying the minimum due keeps balances too high.

4. Being maxed out on any credit card or line of credit causes deep drops in scores.

5. Taking cash advances costs higher interest and extra fees.

6. Exceeding limit and having to pay over-limit fees is a negative with creditors and causes "high proportional amounts owed" remarks on credit reports and subtracts credit score points.

7. Paying a day or more late causes unnecessary late fees and often increases interest rates.

8. Charging more than you can afford causes a snowball effect of amassing debt with no easy way to pay it off.

9. Letting someone else use your credit, such as co-signing a loan, raises your debt-to-income ratio and possibly adds "too many consumer accounts" on your credit report, which lowers your score.

10. Ignoring credit problems causes unnecessary negative impact. Talk to creditors before being late and make arrangements. This action heads off negative reporting to credit bureaus.

11. Failure to report address changes to creditors causes misplaced bills and late payments.

12. Using partial name, different names, initials instead of whole name, or forgetting Sr. or Jr. causes mix-ups. Use your full legal name to protect you from confusion with similarly named borrowers.

13. Failure to report name changes to creditors also causes confusion.

14. Not checking credit report frequently is one of the most common mistakes consumers make.

You can buy real estate with poor credit, but you will save thousands in loan costs if you maintain good credit. A bad credit report leaves home buyers with sub-prime loans which have higher point charges, prepayment penalties, and higher interest charges, which therefore cost more money.

For instance, a mortgage loan of $150,000, 30-year, fixed interest rate of about 5.72 percent costs around $870 a month. Poor credit scores raise the interest rate over 9 percent and the payments over $1,200.

As you see from these payment differences, good credit means that you can finance a more expensive house with the same income, or save $330 each month.

Credit Requirements for Mortgages

Credit needed to buy real estate is not the same as good credit. Besides your credit score, mortgage lenders consider your debt-to-income ratio and other credit matters, unlike other credit grantors. Your debt-to-income ratio is the comparison of mortgage payment, including taxes, interest, and insurance to your total gross monthly income. Real estate lenders also consider your employment qualifications and your overall debt ratios. Understanding the difference between good credit and the credit needed to obtain real estate financing helps you buy houses!

Avoiding credit mistakes helps you get strong credit and keeps your credit scores up.

Copyright © 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author's information with live links only.)

Jeanette Fisher helps first-time home buyers and beginning real estate investors build strong credit for mortgage financing. Get your free "Credit Tips for Mortgage Financing" report at http://www.recredithelp.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Joy_Fisher

14 Common Credit Mistakes

14 Common Credit Mistakes
By Jeanette Joy Fisher

Establishing credit and wisely managing your credit becomes easier when you know how. You'll feel empowered by taking knowledgeable steps towards good credit, and you'll be on your way to purchasing real estate and greater financial freedom.

If you plan to finance real estate, either as a home buyer or an investor, avoiding these common credit mistakes will help you with your credit score and save you money in loan costs.

14 Common Credit Mistakes

1. Using expensive or undesirable types of credit costs too much and is negatively scored.

2. Accumulating too many lines of credit or too many credit cards causes credit report remarks like "too much consumer credit."

3. Only paying the minimum due keeps balances too high.

4. Being maxed out on any credit card or line of credit causes deep drops in scores.

5. Taking cash advances costs higher interest and extra fees.

6. Exceeding limit and having to pay over-limit fees is a negative with creditors and causes "high proportional amounts owed" remarks on credit reports and subtracts credit score points.

7. Paying a day or more late causes unnecessary late fees and often increases interest rates.

8. Charging more than you can afford causes a snowball effect of amassing debt with no easy way to pay it off.

9. Letting someone else use your credit, such as co-signing a loan, raises your debt-to-income ratio and possibly adds "too many consumer accounts" on your credit report, which lowers your score.

10. Ignoring credit problems causes unnecessary negative impact. Talk to creditors before being late and make arrangements. This action heads off negative reporting to credit bureaus.

11. Failure to report address changes to creditors causes misplaced bills and late payments.

12. Using partial name, different names, initials instead of whole name, or forgetting Sr. or Jr. causes mix-ups. Use your full legal name to protect you from confusion with similarly named borrowers.

13. Failure to report name changes to creditors also causes confusion.

14. Not checking credit report frequently is one of the most common mistakes consumers make.

You can buy real estate with poor credit, but you will save thousands in loan costs if you maintain good credit. A bad credit report leaves home buyers with sub-prime loans which have higher point charges, prepayment penalties, and higher interest charges, which therefore cost more money.

For instance, a mortgage loan of $150,000, 30-year, fixed interest rate of about 5.72 percent costs around $870 a month. Poor credit scores raise the interest rate over 9 percent and the payments over $1,200.

As you see from these payment differences, good credit means that you can finance a more expensive house with the same income, or save $330 each month.

Credit Requirements for Mortgages

Credit needed to buy real estate is not the same as good credit. Besides your credit score, mortgage lenders consider your debt-to-income ratio and other credit matters, unlike other credit grantors. Your debt-to-income ratio is the comparison of mortgage payment, including taxes, interest, and insurance to your total gross monthly income. Real estate lenders also consider your employment qualifications and your overall debt ratios. Understanding the difference between good credit and the credit needed to obtain real estate financing helps you buy houses!

Avoiding credit mistakes helps you get strong credit and keeps your credit scores up.

Copyright © 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author's information with live links only.)

Jeanette Fisher helps first-time home buyers and beginning real estate investors build strong credit for mortgage financing. Get your free "Credit Tips for Mortgage Financing" report at http://www.recredithelp.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Joy_Fisher

0% Credit Cards: Are They Worth It?

By Joseph Kenny

Credit card jumping has become a common practice. The term refers to the habit of moving debt balances from card to card to take advantage of preferential rates. But just how worthwhile is credit card jumping for consumers?

UK consumers have staggering levels of debt. Consumer borrowing has grown by more than 50% in five years. It's no wonder that people are looking for new ways to ease the debt burden. Credit card jumping offers one possible solution.

Money Saving Device

People who are carrying large amounts of debt can save hundreds of pounds in interest simply by taking advantage of the latest credit card balance transfer deals. Many of these offer a 0% interest rate for a fixed period, such as three, six, nine or even 12 months.

As well as transferring balances from other credit cards to a 0% credit card, consumers are sometimes able to transfer balances from store cards and even outstanding loan amounts. It is worth checking to see if these transactions also benefit from the 0% balance transfer rate.

Transferring a balance to a 0% credit card means that any payments made are paying off the principal rather than the interest. This reduces the amount owed, which is good news for those using this as a debt management method. Many card issuers do charge a balance transfer fee to curb the practice of credit card jumping, so it is worth looking around for the best deal.

Getting The Best From Credit Card Jumping

To get the best from 0% credit cards, many savvy consumers move from card to card when the preferential rate period expires. This requires some organization, but credit card jumping can mean that debt balances continue to go down as consumers move money (or rather, debt) from card to card. Those who don't move their debt at the right time often find they are paying a much higher interest rate – and the debt is not being cleared. This strategy works best when consumers pay on time. Late payment can result in fees that increase consumers' level of debt.

Consumers who are using many credit cards to manage their debt should consider creating standing orders to manage payments automatically. It is also worth using a spreadsheet or calendar program to keep track of when it is time to move to the next credit card.

Other Incentives

Credit card jumping can be an effective way of reducing debt, providing consumers do not add any new debt. There are also other incentives for using 0% cards, such as charitable contributions, rewards points, air miles, travel insurance and much more. It is worth shopping around to get a reward as well as the interest-saving rate.

Summary

Credit card jumping can be a good strategy for people who are:
1. organized about managing debt
2. trying to clear a large debt
3. prepared to shop around for the best balance transfer deals
4. able to pay on time consistently so as not to damage their credit rating.

Joe Kenny writes for Credit Card Guide, offering the latest information on 0% credit cards in the UK, visit them today us to apply for a credit card balance transfers and start clearing credit card debt today.

Visit today: http://www.cardguide.co.uk/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Kenny

3 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score by 50 Points In Less Than 30 Days

By Hartley Pinn

In Less Than 30 Days.

"What can you do to increase that set of three numbers on your
credit report that can be so important with your financing?"

I came across this question as I was surfing discussion groups
the other day. Check out my answer:

Dear Friend,

Here are 3 steps I used to take my credit score from 592
(horrible credit) to 762 (perfect credit) almost overnight.
If you’re interested in improving your credit rating quickly,
you’ll find this story helpful:

In 1995 I made a decision that would ruin my perfect credit
history. I quit my salary job to become an insurance salesman.
The job paid commission only. Within a few months I lost
everything - house, car, credit rating and my self respect.

By the end of 1996 I was living with my mom, all my credit
accounts were severely past due, and I was paying 22%
interest on a broke-down green Geo Storm...I was a real loser.

Then, in 1997, I became a banker. I didn’t know it at the time,
but this would turn out to be the break I needed to eliminate my
credit problems forever.

During my seven years as a banker, I came across several
legal and highly effective ways to improve my credit rating.
As a result, I was able to increase my credit scores by an
average of 170 points.

Here’s what I did:

Step #1:
After spending hundreds of dollars on credit repair services that
didn’t work, I found out how to get negative accounts removed
on my own.

Basically, I wrote letters to the collection agencies requesting
proof that the accounts were mine. 89% of the time they had
no proof that the bad accounts belonged to me. So I was able
to get them deleted from my credit file.

Step #2:
I opened new accounts with high credit limits and kept the
balances low.

I discovered that if you keep your available credit limits high and
only use 10% to 30% of the credit you have available, your
credit score will improve dramatically.


Step #3:
Next, I added accounts with years of perfect payment history to
my credit file. This step took my credit score from 647 to 762.

While you can certainly add seasoned accounts to your credit
file for free, there are companies that claim they can do it for
a fee.

The problem is, they charge between $2,000 and $2,500 per
account. If you want a 700+ credit score you’ll need 3 to 4 of
these accounts. That equates to a cost of $6,000 to $10,000.

(You can conduct a search on your favorite search engine for
companies that offer this service.)


While there are several highly effective steps you can take to
increase your credit scores by as much as 200 points, these
are the main ones...And here’s the good news: Each step can
be completed in less than 30 days.

By Hartley W. Pinn, Jr, CEO, http://www.AtBalanceCreditRepair.com
Revealing the insider credit secrets you can use to increase
your credit scores by up to 200 Points.

For more information please visit:
http://www.AtBalanceCreditRepair.com/credit/8

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hartley_Pinn