Credit Cards

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Cash Back Credit Card Tips

By Robert Alan

Wouldn’t it be great if you could get an extra cash rebate on every purchase you made? Well, that is completely possible with cash back credit cards. This type of credit card gives you a certain percentage back on many of your purchases. You can receive the money from your credit card either monthly or yearly according to the credit card company.

You may be wondering what type of items count for your cash back credit card rebates. Most of the time such things like balance transfers and cash advances do not count and you will not receive any type of credit card rebates. You will have to check with each credit card company to learn which cash back credit card applies to purchases that you normally buy.

How much can you get from a cash back credit card is another issue. You can search and determine which ones yield the best percentage, however, make sure they are stores that you personally shop at or are items that you normally purchase.

You may even enjoy more cash back with different cash back credit card policies if you shop at certain stores such as Wal-Mart or Sears. This can give you more money in the way of cash back.

Redeeming points from your cash back credit card is easy. Normally, you do not have to do anything. It is according to how often the credit card disburses the cash back. Some credit card companies are now offering the cardholder to redeem points on their cash back credit card rewards to be applied to their balance. You can even use your cash back for charitable contributions.

There are fees with any credit card receiving cash back is just a reward so to speak. A cash back credit card can have other fees such as balance transfer fees, annual fees, high interest, high APR, or other charges that may make the cash back credit card less desirable.

Be sure to read the terms and conditions when applying for a cash back credit card. Be sure to find out if you can shop at your favorite stores with the card. Also, find out all you can regarding the applicable fees for the card for cash advances, balance transfers etc., as these extra charges may make this card an expensive proposition. However, if you do choose a cash back credit card, it can be incredibly useful if you shop at those stores and receive money for purchases you normally buy all the time. Just an added bonus for using products you love while shopping at your favorite stores.

For more on how to understand how a cash back credit card works, Robert Alan recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com.

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Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Put Your Expenses on Right Track - Credit Card Debt Management

By Ann Gibson

Credit card the well known name for plastic money allows you to spend more than you have and pay later for them. This property makes it the most widely used form of debt. But there is a very big disadvantage that people in ignorance spend larger amounts and when the time for repayment along with the interest arises than they are short of money. At that time you again take debts to make repayments. The process goes on and the trap of debts surrounds you. Credit card debt management can help you in controlling your expenses in a much better way.

Credit card debt management in simple words is how to manage your debts efficiently and effectively. You need to follow certain things for an efficient credit card debt management. These are:

• To began with go for cash purchases rather than using credit cards as the interest rate is very high on credit cards.

• Don’t apply for and use too many credit cards.

• Use a debit card instead if you don’t want to carry cash around.

• Plan a budget for the month according to your income and spend accordingly.

• Get the help of debt management consultants and agencies to plan your budget.

• 24 hours availability of consultants is there, so you can call them for their services at any point of time.

Credit Card Debt Management agencies prepare debt management plans for you. If you are using too many credit cards and finding it difficult to pay for it separately you can take the help of these agencies. You can deposit the entire amount of credit cards bills to them. They themselves will pay different bills from that money. They will teach you ways to control your spending`. These agencies in addition to credit card debt management will also provide you other service such as if you are carrying too many debts with you, they can talk to your lenders for lowering the installments amount. They also give advices on how to improve your credit score.

For applying to such services you need to log on to websites of consulting agencies and fill an application form with requisite details such as you name, address and contact information, your income, number of credit cards you are using, details of how much you spend through credit card. After getting application professional advisers will call you and discuss your financial status and a proposed budget plan with you.

Besides these measures as it is said “precaution starts at home”, so it’s up to you to decide the direction in which your finance diverts with credit card debt management.

Loan borrowing is like once in a life time decision and much is at stake. It is indeed not a good thing that many people are misguided into taking loans that are not appropriate to their financial situation. This leads to many allied misgivings. As a financial consultant the only driving force of Ann Gibson is to provide proper knowledge. Because knowledge in respect to loan borrowing is power and exudes financial benefits. He works for uk debt consolidation site uk debt consolidations. To find a uk debt consolidation loan, Credit Card Debt Management that best suits your need please visit http://www.ukdebtconsolidations.co.uk.

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

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Reasons To Eliminate Credit Card Debt

By Stuart Laing

Credit card debt amounts to hundreds of billions all around the world. Most people use credit cards due to their convenience, but there are certain risks that aren't immediately obvious. So here are five reasons to eliminate your credit card debt.


1) Credit Companies Hold All The Cards


When you owe money to a creditor they own a piece of you. For example, they can change the terms of your agreement whenever they want. In most cases, all they have to do is to send you a letter giving you 14 days notice.


For example, they can increase the penalty for late repayments or going over your credit limit. And if you don't like it...there's nothing you can do apart from moving your debt elsewhere.


But the moment you make the last repayment on your credit card debts, you take control of your financial position and take the first step towards financial freedom.


2) Most Credit Cards Have A Variable Interest Rate


In the same way that your lender can change the rules of the agreement, they also have the power to change the interest rate that you pay on your debt.


So you could find yourself in the position where you make credit card purchases at 8.9% APR, miss one repayment date, and end up repaying the rest of your debt (in addition to the late payment fee) at the penalty rate of 19.9% or even higher. Such an increase could add years and thousands to your repayments.


Which leaves you with two options.


a) Accept the increase and devote more of your life to increasing their already vast profits.


b) Or spend more time and effort looking for a new credit card deal with a lower rate of interest. And while it's always a good idea to be on the lookout for a better deal on your debts, there's no guarantee that your new lender won't increase their interest rate a few weeks or months later.


3) Special Credit Card Deals Are Extremely Fragile


Credit card companies are only too keen to grab your business by offering special deals and promotions. But they're just as keen to remove them from your account the moment you breach one of the many terms and conditions of your loan agreement.


Six months interest free credit on balance transfers, holiday periods and ultra low interest rates will all be withdrawn if you step out of line with your repayments. And that's before you consider the various late payment penalties.


Special deals, incentives and discounts are only worthwhile if you continue to repay the right amount on time every time.


4) Credit Cards Can Be Too Convenient


Credit cards are probably the biggest threat to your financial security. And as I said earlier, credit cards are so convenient. Almost every business accepts them and you don't have to risk walking around with large sums of cash. It's so easy to spend more that you intended to because it doesn't feel like spending money!


And the threat becomes even bigger when you don't have any money and have to rely upon your credit limit instead. Then the statement arrives, and because you didn't have enough money to buy the items in question at the time, the chances are that you can repay your credit card debt at once. So you pay part of the debt. And before you know it you get stuck in a rut, making large repayments every month to cover your 'convenience' purchases and interest on top.


So unless you have great will power, it's important to eliminate your credit card debt and build up your personal finances until you have enough money to buy the things that you want without borrowing.


5) Beware Of A Change In Your Financial Status


If you reach the stage where your debts threaten to get out of control you might have to start juggling the payments on your different debts. So in order to avoid penalties on your credit card you decide to miss a payment on your mortgage/personal loan instead.


But your financial history is all linked together. Missing a payment on your mortgage won't just make your bank manager nervous. All your lenders will start to fear that they won't get their money back.


So if you're late paying or miss a repayment on any of your debts, your credit rating will suffer. And most credit card companies will take advantage of a change in your financial history by increasing the interest rate on your credit card. And that's despite the fact that you've never missed a payment on your credit card debt.



by Stuart Laing


Copyright (c) Get Out Of Debt.


Are you tired of being in debt? Do you resent the large repayments every month? Visit http://www.icanhelpyougetoutofdebt.com for free, impartial information on how to reduce debt.


This article may be freely distributed as long as the copyright, author's information and active links are included.



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