Credit
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Why you should get your first credit card at age 18
In the US, you magically become an adult as soon as you turn 18. Feel anyway, when your 18th birthday comes around, you’ve now earned a lot of new rights and privileges – without parental consent. One such privilege is getting your first credit card. It may seem overly ambitious, but applying for my first […]
5 reasons to pay for every purchase with a credit card
The content of this page is accurate as of the publication date; however, some offers from our partners may have expired. Browse our list of the best credit cards or use our CardMatch™ tool to find the cards that suit your needs. There is a lot of fear and uncertainty about using credit cards, but […]
6 steps to take if a credit card owner dies
When a loved one dies, the task of notifying financial institutions and closing accounts is sometimes delayed. But if credit card accounts are left open, problems can arise later. You should start by freezing a deceased family member’s credit. You will also need to collect some information and take action. If you are a personal […]
8 ideas how to pay off your credit card expenses and get a bonus
The best travel and rewards credit cards offer bonuses of $500 or more for the first few months, but there’s a catch. They all require you to meet minimum spending requirements to receive the bonus, and you may have to charge thousands of dollars for purchases in a short amount of time. Take, for example, […]