Credit Card Blog Category

Latest Blog Posts

  • Games That Teach Kids About Credit
    Games may be an easy way to teach kids about credit without them having to experience credit through trial and error. Here are four online and board games that teach important financial lessons.
  • How I Save $430 a Year on Books
    One of the most obvious, painless ways to save a ton of money is to borrow your books from the library instead of buy them. This is my ode to the library.
  • Six Things You Should Never Leave in Your Car
    Be careful about what you leave in your car while you're away from it. Even if your car is locked, thieves can break into it and steal information that could be used to commit credit card fraud and identity theft.
  • Why Consumers Choose to Use a Certain Credit Card
    The average American has 4.4 credit cards, but only uses 2 of them on a regular basis. What drives cardholders to use those two credit cards and leave the others untouched.
  • The Wrong Way to Improve Your Credit Score
    When you're improving your credit score, avoid these mistakes that will slow down your credit repair progress.
  • Debt Relief Scams: How to Protect Yourself
    Get the real debt relief that you deserve. Here are some key tips to help you navigate the debt management maze.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 3/26/2010
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of identity theft and credit. Enjoy!
  • Are Prepaid Credit Cards Any Good?
    The Credit CARD Act may push credit cards out of reach for many Americans, especially for those under 21. As these consumers look for credit card alternatives, prepaid credit cards will probably be one of the most attractive options on the menu, but are they any good?
  • These Days, Cash is King
    During this time of economic hardship, Americans have turned to behaviors shunned during times of prosperity. Brown bag lunches, bargain hunting and homemade coffee have all become more familiar sights. Perhaps we’ve finally learning to live within our means?
  • Friday Grab Bag - 3/19/2010
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Small Business Owners Left Out of Credit Card Act
    Most credit cardholders just got a bundle of new protections from the Federal government. Unfortunately, the rules don't include credit cards used by small businesses.
  • Video Week: How Hackers Make Fake Credit Cards
    Welcome to Video Week on SpendOnLife! Every day this week we'll highlight an interesting video on credit or identity theft.
  • Video Week: The Secret History of the Credit Card
    Welcome to Video Week on SpendOnLife! Every day this week we'll highlight an interesting video on credit or identity theft.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 3/5/2010
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Credit Card Statistics
    How much credit card debt do American consumers hold? The Federal Reserve Board's Survey of Consumer Finances offers authoritative credit card debt statistics.
  • Types of Credit Card Fees
    If you thought your credit card was free, think again. Your credit card comes packed with fees that can make it much more expensive than simply using cash. Here are just a few of the costs associated with using a credit card.
  • Which to Pay: Credit Card or Mortgage?
    A recent TransUnion study shows that more people are putting their credit card payments before their mortgage payments. Why are so many more Americans making this choice? Is it the right one?
  • Do You Know How Strong Your Credit Is?
    You may know how many credit cards you have in your wallet, and how much you owe on each. But do you know what your credit rating is? Or why this might be important? Here’s a quick guide to give you the skinny on credit.
  • Should You Pay the Tax Man With a Credit Card?
    If you owe Uncle Sam and you don’t have the cash to pay your tax bill, should you pay your income taxes with a credit card? There may be some drawbacks to charging your taxes on your credit card.
  • Credit Bureaus Will Start Reporting Your Income
    New credit card rules require banks to verify income for credit card applications made after February 22. Will income estimates provided by credit bureaus help consumers get approved easier? Or will more applicants get denied because of inaccurate estimates?
  • Friday Grab Bag - 1/29/2010
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • New Year, New Rules, New Tricks
    On February 22nd, credit card providers will be required to modify some of their customary (i.e. sneaky) practices. The Credit Card Responsibility and Disclosure Act, or CARD Act, is mandating these much-needed regulations.
  • Britney Spears Uses Her Bodyguard's Credit Card
    Britney Spears, millionaire pop princess, was forced to use her bodyguard's credit card this week after she reached the spending limit on her own. It could be trouble for the bodyguard who ultimately is responsible for Britney's charges.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 1/22/2010
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • 2010 Credit Card Predictions from Mr. Credit Card
    This is a guest post from Mr Credit Card of askmrcreditcard.com. Here, he talks about how he thinks credit cards will evolve in the future.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 1/15/2010
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of identity theft and credit. Enjoy!
  • Don't Flush Your Credit Down the Drain
    Check out our newest infographic that shows the nasty turns your credit rating will take if you were to simply stop paying your bills.
  • 6 Ways Your Credit Affects You
    Credit scores have primarily been used by lenders when deciding whether or not to extend you credit. However, credit scores are now being used by more and more businesses to make decisions about you.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 12/11/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit, personal finance, and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • My Two Cents: MasterCard's Mango Money
    We came across a new product from MasterCard, called Mango Money, and were curious as to what it was all about. Here's our summary (and the catch).
  • Friday Grab Bag - 12/4/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit. Enjoy!
  • Are Public Wi-Fi Spots Safe?
    There’s nothing quite as convenient as logging onto the Internet while sitting at a café or enjoying your local library. But is your personal information really safe when you use public Wi-Fi?
  • Why Shopping on Black Friday Costs More Than Other Days of the Year
    Am I the only one who doesn’t get Black Friday? Think of all the hidden costs that are lurking on a Black Friday shopping expedition, and then ask yourself if it’s not cheaper to shop on other (less frenzied) days of the year.
  • Boom and Bust, Spend and Save
    BillShrink shares its perspective on Americans' spending and saving habits and offers a couple of recommendations for top credit cards.
  • BillShrink.com: My Two Cents
    Who wouldn’t like finding new ways to spend less and save more in their financial endeavors? I tested out the BillShrink product this past week and tell you how effective it really is.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 10/9/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • What are Automatic Credit Card Payments Really Costing You?
    How much is automatically charged to your credit card each month, and are those goods and services really worth the cost? Here's a quick calculation to help you decide.
  • 10 Steps to Avoid Christmas Credit Card Debt
    This 10-step plan below guarantees a calmer, less costly Christmas – one that’s free of credit card debt. The payoff? Thoughtful gift-giving that doesn’t leave you in the lurch AND a $0 credit card balance come January 1.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 10/2/2009
    I was away at Finovate for part of this week, but am enjoying catching up on what fellow pf bloggers and others are saying about credit. Lots of great new posts. Enjoy!
  • Are You Irresponsible with Your Credit Card?
    Credit card debt is pretty much a black or white situation. There’s nothing gray about it. You either used your credit card responsibly or you used it...well, less responsibly.
  • 6 Cool iPhone Apps for Controlling Credit and Debt
    The six best credit- and debt-related apps to help you pay down debt, protect you from identity theft, and even occasionally rescue your credit card from the dinner bill.
  • Friday Grab Bag: College Edition
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! This week we highlight the upcoming credit card ban on campuses, how college kids can learn about credit, and future college costs for the babies of today. Enjoy!
  • Credit Recipes: Cooking up Credit Score Greatness
    Like a slow-simmering chicken cacciatore, your credit score requires certain ingredients and ample time to bring out its full potential. The credit score recipes we show here will make the most out of the ingredients you already have in your “pantry” at home.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 9/11/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit, debt, and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Intervention: When Friends Can't Say No to Credit
    Sushi lunches to the tune of $40, eyelash extensions in the ballpark of $300, and Louis Vuitton handbags that cost more than the down payment on my car: Purchases made by the rich and famous, or by my unemployed best friend?
  • Friday Grab Bag - 9/4/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and personal finance. Enjoy!
  • 7 Advantages of Credit Cards
    We hear a lot of negative things about credit cards and why we don’t need them – but here are seven advantages that make them worth keeping in your wallet.
  • First Part of CARD Act Effective Today
    Today is August 20th, and that means the first phase of regulations set out in the CARD Act are now in effect. Here's the breakdown of the new rules that your creditors must follow.
  • Bad Poetry Contest: Credit Edition - $1000 Prize!!
    In honor of National Bad Poetry Day, we’re kicking off a pretty awesome contest in which you could win up to $1000 toward your latest credit card bill.
  • The Reality of the Joneses
    Do you have a "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality? You know, the mindset that you should have a better, bigger, and brighter lifestyle than those less fortunate, little people around you? Yep…you know what I’m talking about!
  • Friday Grab Bag - 8/14/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of personal finance and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • 12 Little-Known Credit Facts
    It's true, the world of credit can be a little dry sometimes. So I compiled these 12 little-known credit facts to spice things up a bit.
  • Can My Credit Card Company Sue Me?
    When you signed on the dotted line of your credit card agreement, you promised to pay off any debts you incurred on that credit card. If you default on that debt, your credit card provider may seek a judgment against you in a court of law.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 8/7/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SPENDonLIFE grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of personal finance and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Medical Credit Cards: Should You Get One?
    Medical credit cards are offered by lenders to consumers facing large out-of-pocket medical expenses. Here are the pros and cons of medical credit cards to help you decide if applying for one is the right choice for you.
  • Students Get Squeezed between Credit Card Companies and Colleges
    Students are getting squeezed between creditors and colleges both by having their privacy compromised as well as when they use a credit card to pay tuition.
  • Credit Card Arbitration and You: Get Ready to Rumble
    We all know the credit card companies aren’t playing fair. They’re jacking rates, slashing limits, raising minimum payments, or sometimes cancelling accounts altogether. Did you also know that they've most likely buried a mandatory arbitration clause in your contract, to avoid costly class-action lawsuits?
  • Weather the Storm by Keeping Credit Card Debt
    Under normal financial circumstances, even a faintly responsible person would advise you to get rid of your CREDIT CARD DEBT! However, you may want to hold on to your credit card debt until we weather this financial storm.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 7/17/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SPENDonLIFE grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and debt. Enjoy!
  • When a Credit Search Hurts You
    Does shopping around for the best rate during your search for a new credit card, auto loan, or mortgage hurt you? Learn when credit inquiries affect your credit score here.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 7/10/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Chase Gives its Customers a Much-Needed Kick in the Pants
    Chase’s recent decision to raise credit card minimums from 2% to 5% on almost a million account holders was (understandably) met with public outcry. But is raising credit card minimums from 2% to 5% of our balance really so ghastly?
  • Listen Up, Ladies: He's Just Not That into Credit
    The relationship that a guy has with his finances will more than likely mirror the other relationships in his life. If he doesn’t take care of his credit by paying back debts and curbing his spending, chances are, he's neglecting the other responsibilities and people in his life too.
  • FICO 08 Allows "Piggybacking"; Equifax Adopts the New Credit Scoring Model
    The FICO credit scoring system, originally implemented in the late 1950s by the Fair Isaac Corporation, has been undergoing a few lifts and tucks lately. The new scoring model, called the FICO 08, was first adopted by credit bureau TransUnion several months ago, and Equifax just announced that it will also begin using FICO 08.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 6/26/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SPENDonLIFE grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Obscure Credit Score Facts from Liz Pulliam Weston
    In this week's Personal Finance Hour, Liz Pulliam Weston shares some interesting tidbits, personal anecdotes, and FICO facts that you might not know about credit scoring.
  • Today is National "Let It Go" Day!
    You might not know this, but today is national Let It Go Day. Because we’re a credit and finance blog, we think you should let go of all those past credit mistakes that you can’t go back in time and fix.
  • How Can I Raise My Credit Score?
    We get a lot of questions from readers asking "How can I raise my credit score?" Truthfully, there is no quick and easy fix, but there are some steps you can take that will help (some more quickly and dramatically than others).
  • Sound Familiar? Top 10 Money Lessons from Dad
    For many of us, our parents were the main influence for our financial outlook (for good or bad). To help celebrate Father's Day (it’s this weekend, don’t forget!), here are the top 10 money lessons from Dad.
  • The Problem with Paying Credit Card Minimums
    Less is definitely more when it comes to many things, but your credit card payment should never be one of them! Granted, paying only the minimum is tempting. But that eye-catching minimum payment can quickly become very unsightly.
  • Credit Card Delinquencies Way Up in the First Quarter of 2009
    Credit card delinquencies (defined as accounts that haven’t been paid in 90 or more days) increased by 11% in the first quarter of 2009. What are the reasons behind this sharp increase, and is there a solution?
  • Friday Grab Bag - 6/12/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Weird Credit Card Trend: More Defaults, Fewer Delinquencies
    As the credit crisis continues and the charge-off rate increases, credit card delinquencies are surprisingly on the decline.
  • Credit Card Issuers vs. Credit Card Associations: What's the Difference?
    Ever wonder what the difference is between the two logos featured on many of your credit cards? For instance, what is Visa’s role versus that of Bank of America’s in providing us credit? At what point do each of these companies make money in the credit card charging process?
  • Credit Card Fraud Protection
    Being smart with your credit cards and knowing your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act will go a long way towards protecting you from credit card fraud.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 6/5/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Credit Card Companies No Better Than Gossipy Girlfriends
    Imagine that you had a disagreement with one of your friends over money. The following day, you find out that not just the one, but all of your friends have turned against you. This is a great analogy for understanding universal default.
  • Senate Passes Credit Card Bill of Rights: The Good and the Bad News
    You may have already heard that the Senate passed some sweeping credit card legislation yesterday. A similar bill may also go to vote in the House today, and once the differences between the two versions are reconciled, this Credit Card Bill of Rights could become law as early as next week. So what does the new legislation mean for you? Here's a summary of the good news and the bad news for consumers.
  • Debit Cards Take the Lead Over Credit
    Credit card spending has gotten out of control in recent years. In a recession where every dollar matters, people simply can’t afford to live beyond their means anymore. That’s where debit cards come in.
  • Credit Card Companies Bigger than the Law?
    For the past 30 years or so, credit card companies have been operating like a sovereign ruler might. Finally, the Federal Reserve is fighting back against the nearly self-governing industry.
  • Federal Reserve: Consumer Debt Keeps Dropping
    The Federal Reserve has just released consumer spending trends for the month of March. Here are the figures: Credit card borrowing fell by 6.8%. That's $5.4 billion saved! (Not as impressive as the $9.7 billion saved in February of this year, but still...)
  • Is Credit Card Insurance Worth It?
    In this unstable job market, credit card insurance sounds like a godsend. In the unfortunate event of a layoff, you need to know that your credit card bills will be covered. But is it really as worthwhile as it sounds?
  • Credit Cards for Teenagers: Educational Tool or Gateway Drug?
    The current credit crisis makes it clear that we need a better way to educate people about credit and its true costs. But is doling out more plastic - no matter how parentally monitored - the answer?
  • The Right Way to Shop for a Credit Card in the Crisis
    One of the key characteristics of the credit crisis is that credit card shopping has gotten harder. Not only have the minimum credit score requirements gone up, but some credit card issuers have stopped offering some of their most attractive perks, like credit card rewards. Indeed, finding a credit card in this economic landscape is different from the times when credit was flowing freely.
  • When Will We See Lower Credit Card Interest Rates?
    Remember being called into the principal's office because you did something bad? That must have been how the credit card companies felt this week, as they made their way to the White House under President Obama's orders.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 4/24/2009
    Every Friday we round up interesting news tidbits, personal finance advice, and scam alerts we think you’ll find interesting or helpful. Check here each week for informative and slightly off-the-wall stories related to the economy, credit, and identity theft. You never know what you’ll find in the Friday grab bag. Enjoy!
  • Debt Settlement Scams, Legit Credit Counseling, and Repayment Plans
    We've all heard horror stories of debt settlement scams: Fraudsters claim to greatly reduce or erase your debt, for a fee, but then do nothing to actually help your situation. Are there any legitimate options out there for those who are struggling? Learn which credit counselors can actually help, and what a repayment plan might look like in your situation.
  • A Super Easy Way to Cut Spending by 12% or More
    Studies have proven time and time again that credit cards make us spend significantly more than cash. To get a handle on our spending, the easiest thing we can do is switch to cash when we make purchases. Here's how.
  • Top 10 Ways to Pay for Your Wedding
    We all know weddings are about celebrating the love you and your honey have for each other, but let’s face it—they still cost a $!#&@-load. Whether your budget is $2000 or $20,000, explore these ten ways to finance your wedding.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 4/17/2009
    Each week we point you to interesting news tidbits, personal finance advice, and scam alerts that we think you’ll find interesting or helpful. Check here every Friday for informative and slightly off-the-wall takes on issues related to the economy, credit, and identity theft.
  • College Kids and Credit Cards: Sallie Mae's Latest Study
    Sallie Mae just released its 2009 study, "How Undergraduate Students Use Credit Cards." The results show that, despite the credit crisis, college students are relying on credit more than ever before.
  • Mailbox Emptier? Credit Card Offers Drastically Down
    It's not really a surprise that fewer credit card offers are being delivered to our mailboxes these days. Banks are trying to reel in the amount of credit they extend, not offer us more of it. Synovate released new figures showing a drastic decline in credit card mail volume in 2008.
  • Consumers Trim Debt with Cheap Thrills
    Americans cut back on credit card spending by a record 9.7% last month, but that doesn’t mean we’re not still having fun. We’re just remembering that having fun doesn’t always mean spending a lot of money. The businesses that are thriving in this recession are the ones that offer cheap, tried-and-true diversions that fit into the reformed budgets of American consumers.
  • Friday Grab Bag: Sign of the Times Edition
    Here's where we get to all the cool stuff that we discovered this week, from interesting news tidbits to sweet technology that we never knew existed. This week's theme is "Sign of the Times"....that is, you know you're living in 2009 if you're hearing phrases like "Saver's Remorse" and "8.9% unemployment rate," and cool items like woolly mammoths and English villages are up for sale but no one can afford them.
  • How Credit-Savvy Are Your Kids?
    How much do your kids know about credit? Are you showing them how to use credit responsibly? Here are 5 essential lessons about money to teach your children.
  • More Stuff = More Stress
    I’ve long felt that more stuff = more stress. More gadgets, more cars, more activities…it all equates to more of us running around like chickens with our heads cut off. Maybe I’m just being nostalgic, but didn’t daily life used to be simpler?
  • Be Smart with Your Tax Refund
    How will you spend your tax refund this year? If you have debt (and, really, who doesn’t?), consider using your check from the IRS to do some serious good…for your credit score.
  • Vaden v. Discover: Six-Year Credit Dispute Reaches Supreme Court
    Betty Vaden, a consumer who refused to pay down her $10,000 Discover card balance in 2003, is obviously a fighter. A series of counterclaims and appeals has led her case against the credit card company all the way to the Supreme Court.
  • Common Credit Card Myths
    Credit cards can be the subject of some pretty tall tales. The urban legends circulated about these small plastic cards are repeated so often that it’s hard to tell what’s true and what’s not. Here, we shed a little light on the most common credit card myths.
  • American Express Offers $300...for Customers to Close Accounts
    American Express is offering $300 to some of its customer to close their accounts. Sounds pretty good, but think about the price you're really paying before you jump at the opportunity.