Credit Card Basics
A basic knowledge of credit cards is important for using them responsibly. Learn the key credit cards terms, the different types of cards, and how to choose a card.
Credit Card Balance Transfer Basics
A credit card balance transfer is a type of transaction where you use one credit card to pay off another credit card's balance. Balance transfers can help you save money, but they can also lead to debt if they're not done right.
A credit card balance transfer is a type of transaction where you use one credit card to pay off another credit card's balance. Balance transfers can help you save money, but they can also lead to debt if they're not done right.
5 Reasons a Maxed-Out Credit Card is Bad
Credit cards come with a credit limit - the maximum amount you can charge without penalty. But, credit card issuers don't intend for you to use your whole credit limit. In fact, bad things can happen when your credit card balance approaches or even exceeds your credit limit.
Credit cards come with a credit limit - the maximum amount you can charge without penalty. But, credit card issuers don't intend for you to use your whole credit limit. In fact, bad things can happen when your credit card balance approaches or even exceeds your credit limit.
Can I make a partial credit card payment?
Are you allowed to send a partial credit card payment? You may face a penalty if you don't send the full minimum payment by the due date.
Are you allowed to send a partial credit card payment? You may face a penalty if you don't send the full minimum payment by the due date.
How to Avoid Credit Card Finance Charges
A finance charge is the fee you pay for carrying a balance on your credit card. Learn how you can avoid paying credit card finance charges.
A finance charge is the fee you pay for carrying a balance on your credit card. Learn how you can avoid paying credit card finance charges.
Credit Card Piggybacking
Credit card piggybacking happens when you're added as an authorized user to someone else's credit card account, usually for the sole purpose of getting a better credit score.
Credit card piggybacking happens when you're added as an authorized user to someone else's credit card account, usually for the sole purpose of getting a better credit score.
What's the differerence between a joint account holder and an authorized user?
There are two ways you can add someone to your credit card - as a joint account holder or as an authorized user. Both people can make charges using the credit card, but only the joint account holder is legally obligated to pay the credit card balance.
There are two ways you can add someone to your credit card - as a joint account holder or as an authorized user. Both people can make charges using the credit card, but only the joint account holder is legally obligated to pay the credit card balance.
Pros and Cons of Secured Credit Cards
A secured credit card lets you make a deposit against the credit limit on the card. If you're not able to get approved for a traditional credit card a secured credit card is a good option.
A secured credit card lets you make a deposit against the credit limit on the card. If you're not able to get approved for a traditional credit card a secured credit card is a good option.
How Does a Prepaid Card Work?
Prepaid credit cards are simply Visa, MasterCard, or American Express branded gift cards that are loaded with money and used as credit cards where credit cards are accepted.
Prepaid credit cards are simply Visa, MasterCard, or American Express branded gift cards that are loaded with money and used as credit cards where credit cards are accepted.
6 Ways Finance Charges Are Calculated
Finance charges are applied to credit card balances that aren't paid before the grace period. Different credit cards calculate finance charges in different ways. Here are six ways finance charges can be calculated.
Finance charges are applied to credit card balances that aren't paid before the grace period. Different credit cards calculate finance charges in different ways. Here are six ways finance charges can be calculated.
Tips For Choosing Credit Cards
You should consider different factors when you choose different types of credit cards. Learn more about choosing various credit cards.
You should consider different factors when you choose different types of credit cards. Learn more about choosing various credit cards.
Common Credit Card Fees
Credit cards aren't free. Find out some of the most commonly charged credit card fees and when you might get charged. Since different types of credit cards charge different kinds of fees, it's a good idea to know when your credit card might charge you.
Credit cards aren't free. Find out some of the most commonly charged credit card fees and when you might get charged. Since different types of credit cards charge different kinds of fees, it's a good idea to know when your credit card might charge you.
Types of Credit Cards
Since each consumer's financial needs are different, it makes sense that there are different types of credit cards. Before you apply for a credit card, become familiar with the various kinds of credit cards to make sure you're choosing the best credit card for you.
Since each consumer's financial needs are different, it makes sense that there are different types of credit cards. Before you apply for a credit card, become familiar with the various kinds of credit cards to make sure you're choosing the best credit card for you.
How The Credit Card Process Works
Get a better understanding of how the credit card process works from making purchases to making payments.
Get a better understanding of how the credit card process works from making purchases to making payments.
Which Credit Cards Should I Pay
If you ever wonder the best way to pay off your credit cards, here are some tips to help you make those decisions each month.
If you ever wonder the best way to pay off your credit cards, here are some tips to help you make those decisions each month.
Credit Card Features
Explanation of the most common features of a credit card including types of credit cards, interest rate, grace period, fees, and finance charge.
Explanation of the most common features of a credit card including types of credit cards, interest rate, grace period, fees, and finance charge.
Credit Cards To Stay Away From
There are a lot of bad credit cards out there. Learn to recognize the features of the worst credit cards.
There are a lot of bad credit cards out there. Learn to recognize the features of the worst credit cards.
How To Negotiate A Lower Credit Card Interest Rate
How to talk your creditors into lowering your interest rate on some or all of your credit cards.
How to talk your creditors into lowering your interest rate on some or all of your credit cards.
Get Rewarded For Using Your Credit Card
Find out about the different rewards offered by credit cards and how to decide which reward program is best for you.
Find out about the different rewards offered by credit cards and how to decide which reward program is best for you.
Apply For A Balance Transfer Credit Card
Don't be roped in by advertisements for zero percent introductory rates. Read between the lines and ask questions to make sure you're choosing the right balance transfer credit card.
Don't be roped in by advertisements for zero percent introductory rates. Read between the lines and ask questions to make sure you're choosing the right balance transfer credit card.
Adjusted Balance Finance Charge Calculation
The adjusted balance method of calculating your finance charge uses your previous balance less any payments and credits made during the billing cycle.
The adjusted balance method of calculating your finance charge uses your previous balance less any payments and credits made during the billing cycle.
Ending Balance Method of Calculating Finance Charges
The ending balance method of calculating your finance charge uses the balance at the end of the billing cycle.
The ending balance method of calculating your finance charge uses the balance at the end of the billing cycle.
Previous Balance Finance Charge Calculation
The previous balance method of calculating your finance charge uses the balance at the beginning of your billing cycle.
The previous balance method of calculating your finance charge uses the balance at the beginning of your billing cycle.
Daily Balance Finance Charge Calculation Method
The daily balance method of calculating finance charges uses the actual balance each day in the billing cycle.
The daily balance method of calculating finance charges uses the actual balance each day in the billing cycle.
Average Daily Balance Finance Charge Calculation
Average daily balance is one of the ways your creditor might calculate your finance charge. Find out how the calculation works.
Average daily balance is one of the ways your creditor might calculate your finance charge. Find out how the calculation works.
Choose a Rewards Credit Card
Learn the most important features of a rewards credit card and get tips on how to choose one.
Learn the most important features of a rewards credit card and get tips on how to choose one.
Choose A Credit Card
There are certain factors to consider in choosing a credit card. Get these key questions answered before you fill out that credit card application
There are certain factors to consider in choosing a credit card. Get these key questions answered before you fill out that credit card application
What Credit Card Numbers Mean
Ever wondered what those digits on your credit card mean? The mystery is solved here.
Ever wondered what those digits on your credit card mean? The mystery is solved here.
Credit Card Catches
With most good deals, there's some sort of catch. Credit cards are no exception. Make sure you know the credit card catches before you start swiping.
With most good deals, there's some sort of catch. Credit cards are no exception. Make sure you know the credit card catches before you start swiping.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act
Credit card companies are governed by a law known as the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Learn what creditors can and can't do under this law.
Credit card companies are governed by a law known as the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Learn what creditors can and can't do under this law.