How My Local Banker Saved My Credit Score
June 19, 2007
I talked the other day about online banking vs. local banking and how I think using a combination of virtual and brick & mortar banking is the best strategy. A close call on my credit score this week reminded me of the value a local relationship brings. Credit Card CrisisI opened a business credit card that […]
Chase Says Credit Limit Increase Is An Opportunity!
June 15, 2007
A credit card limit increase may be an opportunity, but for whom? Unsolicited Credit Limit IncreaseI received a letter in the mail today from Chase announcing they had increased the limit on my credit card. I had to laugh at the first two sentences of the letter: “You deserve the opportunities that come with a […]
Colleges Sell Alumni Data for Extra Cash
June 13, 2007
Does your college have a privacy policy? I never worried whether mine did or not until I started getting credit card and line of credit applications in the mail bearing the name of my school! Alumni Credit CardIt appears my alma mater has decided its okay to sell my name and address to Bank of […]
Business Credit Card Benefits – Credit vs. Cash Back
June 11, 2007
Which is a better move, earning cash back or building credit history? I have a personal credit card I use only for business purposes that earns me cash back and a business credit card that could help me build credit history if I used it. Why a Business Credit Card? When I setup a business […]
How to Use Credit Cards to Simplify Your Finances
May 28, 2007
Want to keep on top of your spending with minimal time & effort? Not only do credit cards offer cash back, if used properly they can also help you simplify & organize your finances. Use Credit Cards Wisely As I mentioned the other day, we use American Express Blue Cash to earn cash back but […]
Why Babies Never Go Into Debt
May 21, 2007
When a baby is hungry, tired, or angry they cry. As we get older we become socialized and learn to hold back these crying fits to integrate into society. In some cases this habit of suppressing our emotions can be dangerous to our pocketbook. No Money = No Stuff When kids want something they don’t […]
Credit Card Companies Tell the Truth?
May 16, 2007
I wrote the other day about companies that had announced changes to their credit card policies to be more consumer friendly. It seems at least one of them is following through. I didn’t realize it but one of my credit cards is currently subject to a default interest rate of 32.24%. We put most everything […]
Kindler, Gentler Credit Cards? Credit Card Reform Long Overdue
May 9, 2007
Credit card companies are going to ratchet down their money grubbing under the pressure of recent political scrutiny according to the June edition of Kiplinger Personal Finance. No more double-cycle billing for JPMorgan Chase Citi won’t arbitrarily raise its rates and fees No more universal default for Citi Bank of America relaxes time period on […]
How Do You Hold a Debt Intervention?
April 5, 2007
Thanks everyone for your feedback on the credit card debt vs. emergency fund post from yesterday. The consensus seemed to be that not paying down the credit card debt was foolish but with the caveat that the couple should address the spending problem that amassed the 10K debt in the first place. Another common suggestion […]
Should You Use Your Emergency Fund to Pay Off Credit Card Debt?
April 4, 2007
If you had $10,000 of credit card debt and $10,000 in an emergency fund would you use the emergency fund money to pay down your debt? My wife’s co-worker likes to spend money. She and her husband have accumulated a $10,000 credit card bill that they just can’t seem to pay off. The wife would […]
