Category: Credit Help and Tips

As you probably already know, credit card issuers make much of their money on collected interest and outrageous fees.  It seems everyday credit card companies are coming up with new fees to charge customers.  Take a look at five common credit card fees you can easily avoid with some common sense and responsibility. Credit card … Continue reading “Five Credit Card Fees You Can Avoid”

A friend of mine recently notified me that his credit score plummeted nearly 100 points from the last time it was updated. He is enrolled in a credit monitoring program, so he receives alerts when his credit scores fluctuate. Naturally, I asked him why he thought his credit score could have dropped so dramatically in … Continue reading “A Lesson in Credit Utilization”

If you’re thinking about taking a family trip this summer, or simply need to a rent a car for a business trip, make sure you’ve got a credit card handy. If you show up to a Hertz or an Avis without a credit card, you could find yourself walking away frustrated on foot Most, if … Continue reading “Better Have a Credit Card If You Plan to Rent a Car”

While it generally makes sense to raise credit lines periodically to increase your available credit and credit utilization, it can also backfire if you aren’t responsible. Many credit line increase requests count as hard credit inquiries, which will be documented on your credit report for two years, and count against your credit score for one … Continue reading “Credit Line Increases Can Hurt and Help Your Credit Score”

A couple of friends of mine moved into a new house a few years ago, and found themselves with a lot more space and not much to fill it. Their first instinct was to the upgrade the television. They had placed a 36 inch TV in the living room, but it seemed microscopic in their … Continue reading “Balance Transfers and Store Credit Cards”

If you generally pay off your entire credit card balance each month, but often have a tough time doing so, you may want to think about timing your credit card purchases. Credit cards have billing cycles, typically 30 days or roughly one calendar month. All purchases made during a billing cycle are due within a … Continue reading “Make Large Purchases Early in Your Billing Cycle”

Credit cards don’t typically fall into the category of pop-culture, nor do they usually garner much attention aside from their basic functionality. But one credit card has mystified and amazed consumers and the general public for years: “The Black American Express Card.” During the 1980s, many believed it was a hoax or simply urban legend, … Continue reading “The Black American Express Credit Card Really Exists”

You may have heard about companies that sell the credit history of others to consumers who have poor or limited credit. It’s referred to as “buying credit”, “renting credit”, or “adding seasoned tradelines”. These credit brokers target real estate professionals who desperately need to find qualified homebuyers, especially in today’s market where heightened credit standards … Continue reading “The Credit Score Black Market: Buying and Selling Trade Lines”

“We regret to inform you that after careful consideration we are unable to open an account for you at this time.” Heard that before? If so, you may be feeling down on your luck or in a panic to get another form of credit elsewhere. But before you freak out, think about why the credit … Continue reading “Your Credit Card Application Has Been Declined”