Financial Freedom Tips

Archive for the ‘Credit Card’ Category

Travel is one of the most popular ways to spend your down time. With travel agencies online and easier methods of booking flights and hotel rooms, travel is the choice for weekends and vacations of all sorts. And airline credit cards make travel available to all, whether you have a travel budget or not. Here are some tips to getting the most out of your airline credit card.

What Is an Airline Credit Card?

When you apply for a credit card online or at your banking institution, you have the option in many cases of applying for an airline card. These cards work just like rewards cards do in that they offer you something back for every dollar you spend. Most airline cards offer you one mile in the sky for each dollar you spend.

This means that if you spend five hundred dollars on your credit card each month, you could earn five hundred airline miles with that particular airline. This could come in handy when traveling with your family or on business. Some airline credit cards offer different ratios of rewards so be sure that you read the fine print to find out how much you have to spend to get the miles you need.

Restrictions

Many airline credit cards come with restrictions on how you can use your miles. For example, you may need to acquire a certain number of miles before you can redeem them for an actual plane ticket. Other airline cards make you use your miles only on certain days or during certain times of the year. It is vital that you check out the contract for your credit card to be sure what these restrictions are. Another airline card might actually offer you more miles for shopping with specific merchants that the financial institution partners with for this purpose. Check the rewards program details for information on promotions of this kind.

Tricks to Getting the Most Miles

Many airline cards will give you bonus miles for using the card at specific merchants, so the easiest way to earn more miles quicker is to do your shopping with these select merchants. Another way to earn more miles is by using your airline card for your everyday shopping, such as grocery shopping, pharmacy needs, or even online bill paying. Be sure that the financial institution that issued your card rewards miles for the ways you want to use your card.

Check Out the Airline

Overall, airline credit cards are a wonderful way to earn a free vacation for you or for your family. However, in these unstable times, be sure that you check out the financial stability of the company you want to earn miles with. Remember that if you earn miles with a company that goes bankrupt, you may be able to transfer your miles and you may not. If you are able to transfer them, it could take months for the transfer to go through. So check out your airline as well as your airline card.

Credit cards can be considered to be one of the many basic necessities of the modern world. Credit cards are available nowadays in abundance. One type of credit card specifically is the so-called 0% APR credit card. 0% APR credit cards were introduced in the late 1980’s and to this day has still proven to be one of the most sought-after credit card types available anywhere. As with all credit card types, there are a certain tips and tricks surrounding 0% APR credit cards that all potential card applicants should be made aware of.

With the help of a 0% APR credit card, it means that you need not only pay the outstanding balance; and what more you could even charge up to the limits without having to sustain any monthly interest charges. However, sometimes, one tends to think just how these credit card companies can afford to provide 0% APR credit cards, and make a profit out of it?

Although 0% APR credit cards may not comprise any monthly charges, it is sure to come with annual fees which you are obliged to pay for the privileges of a 0% APR credit card. These annual fees usually run from $15 to $20 or sometimes, even higher. Having a 0% APR credit card doesn’t mean that you can pay your dues whenever and whichever way you intend to. It IS necessary to make your payments on time, or else, you will have to pay for high overdue fees. For each late payment, the 0% APR credit card holder has to pay fees that may range from $20 to $40. With habitual late payments, these meager amounts may accumulate to a hefty total!

It should be remembered that 0% APR credit cards are usually offered for only a stipulated period of time. This credit card interest may hold good for only a fixed period of time, usually ranging from 3 up to 15 months. On the completion of this period, a higher rate of interest may come in vogue, usually 12% or higher. You could easily transfer any existing credit card balances to a new 0% APR credit card to get 0% interest on the transferred balance. In this way, the credit card holder has to pay less interest for a stipulated period of time, and thus get a chance to clear outstanding balances as quickly as possible.

When applying for a 0% APR credit card, it is always better to read the terms and agreements of the credit card. Not to overstate an obvious question, but why should one do so? Simply because many credit cards may come with a default rate wherein late payments not only incur a late payment fee, but it would also include a default rate that will be added to the annual percentage rate. This in turn doubles the figures on the existing balances and on the new purchases made on the card moving forward. Ouch!

One very important point to take into account when applying for a 0% APR credit card is to read all paragraphs of the agreement, otherwise known as the fine print. This is because though it is illegal for a credit card company to hide their fees and charges, it is nonetheless legal for them to mention these points in small print! The 0% APR credit card companies thus usually announce in large and bold print about their 0% APR but hide the facts that this is only for a limited period of time and any extra fees which might be included are done so in very fine print.

Another trick that is up the sleeve of 0% APR credit card companies is to install sky-high APR’s right after the amount of 0% APR balance transfers are paid down. In other words, the money you first pay to the credit card company is applied to the transfer, and any other purchases you make will be charged a high APR. Sometimes, credit card companies may also go to the extent of sending you a different card than the 0% APR credit card you had initially applied for. In this way, you are not allowed the 0% APR but a different card offer with different terms and conditions. The card issuers typically rationalize this behavior based on the card issuer determining that you do not meet the qualifications for a 0% APR credit card. Qualifications for a 0% APR credit card is usually found in the small print of the agreement, and is usually overseen by applicants!

It can thus be seen that though 0% APR credit cards do seem to be rather inviting, there are some loopholes and tricks to their use. As always, it is highly recommended to read the terms and conditions on the card application agreement for the 0% APR credit card, or any type of credit card application, thoroughly in order to avoid any future problems, headaches or financial surprises.

As Christmas approaches, many of us in the UK will be considering taking out a new credit card to purchases those all essential gifts. With a plethora of card offers out there, deciding which card,if any, is best for you can seem a little daunting

What follows are some useful tips and advice that hopefully will help make your decision a little easier and clearer.

Loyalty/Bonus Cards

As people’s circumstances vary so do the credit card deals on offer. If you intend to clear your bill each month, the interest rate on your card becomes irrelevant as you won’t have to pay it. Therefore you should consider going for a card that offers some form of loyalty bonus such as redeemable points, cashback or air miles.

Interest-Free Offers

These cards are particularly useful for those don’t clear their balance each month. Shop around for cards that offer 0% interest on balance transfers and purchases. The length of these offers tend to vary, so choose one that is appropriate to you needs i. e whether you intend to use the card mainly for purchases or a balance transfer.

Some cards allow you up to 59 days to pay for purchases before being charged interest on them, thus giving you some breathing space to pay for your goods or/and services.

Special Offers

One way to save money on your card debt is to take advantage of the many debt-transfer offers available from most banks. These offers are usually exclusive to new customers and allow you to pay off your debt from a more expensive card at a lower rate for a limited period.

Cash

Although you can withdraw cash from ATM’s with your credit card, it is best left as a last resort as, although convenient, you will pay for the privillage through a steep interest rate.

Plus Points

Using the plastic to pay for expensive items such as jewellery, electrical goods or goods bought online, gives you the piece of mind of consumer protection i. e under the Consumer Credit Act, the card company are liable ( as is the seller of said goods or services) if there is a breach of contract.

This is especially handy if the goods either arrive faulty/damaged or don’t arrive at all due to the supplier, for example, going bust. If any of these scenarios were to arise, you should have the money spent redeemed to your credit card.

Charges

Most cards will levvy a charge against you if you fail to pay your monthly repayment on time, with penalties usually around £20. You will also incurr a charge if you go over your set credit limit. Setting up a direct debit to make your monthly payment will eliminate the possibility of being late with your monthly payment and thus avoid that nasty charge.

What Card Then?

Deciding what credit card to apply for really depends on your personal circumstances and requirements.

If, for example, you intend to do some serious short-term shopping, a card that offers, say six month interest free on purchases, would be more suitable.

If you know in advance you wil be unable to clear the balance in the short term, then a card that offers a low rate for the lifetime of the balance, would be suitable as you will save a graet deal in interest paymnets compared with a card that resorts to a higher rate after any offers expire.

If you are able to clear your balance each month, then going for a card that offers rewards, such as cashback on purchases, would be most prudent.

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.

The first thrill about starting a new enterprise is seeing the name of your creation on a business card. You want to hand them out to everyone you see — friends, family, the kid who bags your groceries. Soon after you’ve registered your trade name, the credit card offers start cluttering your mailbox. It’s flattering at first. You imagine going out to dinner, grabbing the check, and saying, “it’s okay, it’s on the company. ” So you fill out one or two “pre-approved” applications and, like your business card, can’t wait to use this little symbol of acknowledgement. A corporate card tells people you’ve arrived. You’re a legitimate business.

But it can also spell trouble.

The purpose of a business credit card is to have the convenience of charging legitimate business expenses. You avoid using a personal credit card and submitting receipts for reimbursement. You have the ability of making online and telephone purchases to expedite shipment. The revolving account helps you plan your cash flow. The statements provide a detailed accounting record.

Used wisely, a business credit card provides these important benefits and is essential to building your corporate credit profile. Demonstrating reasonable usage and maintaining a good payment history not only allows you to gain more credit, but also helps you negotiate better interest rates on loans, lines of credit, and other revolving accounts. In fact, using a credit card properly is better than paying cash because lenders want to see a credit profile with positive activity. One small business owner had been vigilant about paying cash for all his purchases to avoid having monthly bills. He had had some personal credit issues in the past and was determined to avoid a recurrence. He felt great about keeping his costs under control. When the owner applied for a business loan at the local bank, he was advised that the black marks on his profile were minor. The biggest problem was that he had no recent credit history. So, he got a credit card, budgeted a monthly allowance for the payment, and made small purchases to establish reports on his credit profile.

A business credit account is clearly valuable for a lot of functions. What it isn’t is a license to spend without regard to the consequences. Just because you’re not writing a check doesn’t mean you haven’t spent corporate cash. By following some basic guidelines, you can manage your corporate credit card account so you reap the rewards instead of paying the price.

* Get credit from your own bank. Once you establish a business banking relationship with a local financial institution, continue to grow that relationship by applying for your business credit card at the same place. The more business you do with this bank, the more they get to know you. The comfort level increases the likelihood that they will consider your request for funding when the time arises. Show loyalty to them and it will be repaid in kind.

* Read the fine print. Many credit card companies shout out low introductory rates. The key word here is “introductory. ” After the honeymoon period is over, the rate can shoot up above the interest you’re paying on your current card. There might be hidden fees that can rack up the bottom line on your monthly statement. Look for an annual fee, the first sign that this card is going to cost you money. If you have to pay for the privilege of having the card, chances are you don’t need it. There are various other features that you do want: overdraft protection, 24-hour customer service, and detailed account reports for your business. In the long run, these services are far more important business benefits than frequent flyer miles or discounts on rental cars that are often accompanied by numerous restrictions of their own.

* Find a card and stick with it. With all the offers of lower interest rates and appealing incentives, you might be tempted to switch your account from one issuer to another. Unless you are dissatisfied with your credit card company, stay put. Card hopping shows up on your credit profile and will likely be unimpressive to a prospective lender. Use your valuable time to manage your business instead of pitting one credit card company against another.

* Do not mix business with pleasure. A business credit card is intended for business purchases only. In the event of an IRS audit —†and they do occur via random selection — questionable expenses will raise suspicion.

* You don’t need a deck of cards. You shouldn’t require more than one or two major credit cards for your business. The more credit cards you accumulate, the higher your debt potential. You charge a hundred dollars at the office supply store, then charge computer equipment with another account, and maybe pay for gas, meals, and a nice little antique table for your conference room on your corporate bank card. There’s still room on each card, so you’re okay. But when the monthly bills come, the totals come as a surprise. You can only make a minimum payment so the finance charges will start to kick in. By keeping track of the expenses as you make them you won’t heap up a debt that puts a stranglehold on your accounts payables. Whenever you take that card out of your wallet, ask yourself if the purchase is necessary and valid for the company.

* A credit card is not a loan. The account should not be viewed as a source of funding when cash flow is tight. The interest rates and transaction fees are too high! Avoid taking advantage of the cash advance option. If you are resorting to borrowing from your credit card, chances are you’re not going to be able to pay the bill when it comes due.

* Limit the number of users. A company credit card is as much a demonstration of trust as it is a convenience for the user. The bookkeeping for multiple cards can be a nightmare, however. Before applying for a card, make sure you can get itemized reports for each card so your frustrated bookkeeper doesn’t have to chase down people to identify charges. To avoid excesses, specify to the employee how much and what type of charges will be acceptable. Review the monthly statements to verify that the cards are being use appropriately.

A business credit card is an essential tool to manage your finances and get the items you need on a timely basis. In order to take full advantage of the benefits, choose your credit card company wisely, making sure you understand the services and the limitations. Be clear about how the card will be used. Credit cards follow a basic law of physics: for every action (a purchase) there is an equal and opposite reaction (a bill). By getting proactive about the company credit card, you can keep your finances in balance, boost your credit profile, and enjoy a terrific convenience.

It used to be that parents didn’t find themselves considering credit cards for their children until those children went off to college, but nowadays a high school student credit card might be more appropriate. If you have a high school student at home and you’ve been wondering if a credit card might be a good tool for them, there are three things you need to keep in mind.

1. It’s a “Minor” Issue

If your child waits till college to get a credit card, chances are it’s going to be in his or her name only — meaning your credit is off the hook should they mismanage the card or abuse their credit. If, however, your child is a minor (as most high school students are) then your child is going to need to be using one of your credit cards as a secondary user. This means your credit is on the line, not theirs.

Minors can’t get their own cards, so you’ll be towing the line if your child is under 18 with a credit card in their pocket. If your child isn’t responsible enough to manage the card wisely, you’ll end up paying for their mistakes, and those mistakes can cost big time.

2. It’s All About Boundaries

If you do decide to let your child have a high school student credit card, you need to set up boundaries the moment that card is issued. What can the card be used for? How much is your child allowed to spend? Should he or she contact you for permission prior to using the card?

By setting up clear boundaries you can avoid future headaches (and unpleasant statement surprises). If you simply say “this card is only for emergencies” your child might not understand. For all you know, that cute coat in the mall could be an emergency to a high schools student. Explain exactly what constitutes an emergency and set up firm rules, making sure your child understands what the consequences will be if those rules are broken.

3. Go Over the Statements Together

A high school student credit card can be a great way to teach your child financial responsibility, but for that to happen your child has to be involved in paying the bill. When the credit card statements come in each month, go over them with your child. If there are frivolous charges, discuss them and talk about responsible credit card spending.

Let your child watch you write the check to the credit card company and make sure they pay you for their share of the bill. This will teach them that plastic needs to be used just as responsibly as cash.

While a credit card isn’t right for every high school student, there are definitely some who can benefit from them. If yours is one of them, by all means get them started on the road to a healthy credit future and let them learn from the use of a high school student credit card.