Can a credit card help you beat inflation?
You don’t have to watch the news to know that inflation is having a major impact on household budgets this year. However, the recent consumer price index (CPI) summary showed annual inflation rose by 8.3 percent in the 12 months leading up to August 2022, with core inflation up 0.6 percent from the previous month. […]
MoviePass is back, but is it too late?
Just when you thought it was safe to get back to the movies… MoviePass is back. For those of you who don’t remember (or were too young to care at the time), MoviePass was a subscription service that allowed users to watch one movie a day for a monthly fee. While this was beneficial to […]
What exactly does a debt management plan include?
Almost as soon as credit cards became commonplace in the United States, organizations arose to help cardholders deal with their debts. In 1951, the National Credit Counseling Foundation opened to the public. Another national trade association, the American Financial Advisory Association, opened in 1993. Through these nonprofits, people can get free financial advice and, in […]
13 things that make your credit score worse
When someone retrieves your credit report, they change your credit score—unless that someone is you or a lender who is rating your credit for promotional purposes. This is just one of the many complex rules that go into the traditional FICO method for calculating your credit score. The formula can be a bit confusing to […]
How to pay rent with a credit card
There are many reasons to consider paying your rent with a credit card, and more than one benefit may apply. For example, this gives you some time before the actual payment, and you can even roll over the balance from one month to another if you need to. This means that if you’re past due […]
How am I managing my credit after the pandemic
In December 2019, the world changed dramatically. COVID-19 has caused catastrophic damage and upheaval, and worsened the financial situation of people. Almost overnight, consumers began to change the way they charge. A Federal Reserve report updated in 2021 notes a sharp decline in the use of loans after the initial shock caused by COVID-19. However, […]
How to increase your credit limit
Getting a higher credit limit is almost always a good thing in your financial life. This gives you more borrowing options and a flexible source of funds. If you have a bonus credit card, a higher line of credit also gives you the opportunity to earn more cash or points. Finally, having more affordable credit […]
Disaster Tax Relief – Know Your Rights
If you have been the victim of one of the recent devastating hurricanes, you probably already have a lot to worry about. The last thing you want is a long intro to remind you how bad hurricanes are. So let’s get down to business. Here is a breakdown of the tax credits offered by the […]
Don’t worry about moving up to a higher tax bracket
Most people don’t understand taxes. This is understandable because our tax code is messed up and confused. However, there is one concept that many people get wrong and is fairly easy to explain: tax caps. The “Take more with you while earning less” fallacy You may have heard someone boast that they have managed to […]
What is a Credit Card Convenience Fee?
There are several reasons for paying with plastic, such as the convenience factor and the possibility of rewards. However, credit card convenience fees may apply to certain types of purchases, and they may reduce your rewards or even wipe them out entirely. Before you pay a credit card convenience fee, evaluate if the extra cost […]