Title: A problem called ‘Credit Card Debt‘

Credit cards are no more a luxury, they are almost a necessity. So, you would imagine a lot of people going for credit cards. In fact, a lot of people posses more than one credit cards. So, the credit card industry is growing by leaps and bounds. However, the credit card industry and credit card holders are posed with a big problem called ‘Credit Card Debt’. In order to understand what ‘credit card debt’ actually means, we need to understand the workflow associated with the use of credit cards as such.

Credit cards, as the name suggests, are cards on which you can get credit i.e. make borrowings (your credit card debt). Your credit card is a representative of the credit account that you hold with the credit card supplier. Whatever payments you make using your credit card are actually your borrowings that contribute towards your credit card debt. Your total credit card debt is the total amount you owe credit card supplier. You must settle your credit card debt on a monthly basis. So, you receive a monthly statement or your credit card bill which shows your total credit card debt. You must pay off your credit card debt by the payment due date failing which you will incur late fee and interest charges. However, you have the option of making a partial (minimum) payment too, in which case you don’t incur late fee but just the interest charges on your credit card debt. If you don’t pay off your credit card debt in full, the interest charges too get added to it. So your credit card debt keeps on increasing, more so because the interest rates on credit card debt are generally higher than the interest rates on other kind of loans/borrowings. Further, the interest charges add on to your credit card debt each month to form the new balance or the new credit card debt amount. If you continue making partial payments (or no payments) the interest charges are calculated afresh on the new credit card debt. So you end up paying interest on the last month’s interest too. Thus your credit card debt accumulates rapidly and soon you find that what was once a relatively small credit card debt has ballooned into a big amount which you find almost impossible to pay. Moreover, if you don’t still control your spending habits, your credit card debt rises even faster. This is how the vicious circle of credit card debt works.

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Title: Are You Earning big time reward points from Australian Credit Cards?

As more and more people turn to using credit cards as the standard mode of payment as opposed to the traditional cash or cheque options, credit card companies are stepping over each other to capture a significant share of this part of the money market. While earlier , one had to pay  hefty fees for owning a credit card, an yearly one for using it , and then of course the high interest that had to be paid up in case of late payments, today, many of these have been scrapped as credit card companies bend over backwards to acquire and retain their customers. One of the main features highlighting these changes is the emergence of Reward Credit Cards in the market. Earning rewards from credit cards has become the norm of the day as almost 60 cash back on purchases but this goes up to 5% depending upon scheme to scheme. The cash back is generally paid off at the end of the year in the form of a cheque. This is one of the most preferred ways of earning rewards from credit cards.

Reward Schemes: The consumer can accumulate points based on credit card usage. The more the usage, the more the points which can be accumulated and then used for earning rewards from the credit card. Most companies offer rewards in the form of redeemable gift or discount coupons of certain stores, entertainment coupons for meals or shows or free or discounted gasoline at select stations. Earning rewards from credit cards is the most popular rewards scheme.

Flyer Miles Schemes: Getting flyer miles is another method of earning rewards from credit cards. These schemes let the user accumulate flyer miles which become redeemable for air tickets once a certain amount of points /flyer miles are accumulated. Flyer miles are rewarded based on amount spent through the credit card over a certain period of time. This is the best credit card reward for business men who need to travel frequently, since it is only large spenders who can accumulate enough points to get any significant flyer miles.

While earning rewards from credit cards seems very tempting at first, some points do need to be kept in mind for getting the best out of credit card rewards. First of all, make sure that the card does not carry an annual fee. Secondly, earning rewards from credit cards are profitable only for people who do not let any interest charges accumulate on their cards by paying off their monthly balances on time as interest rates on these cards are higher than average.

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Credit Card Debt after Divorce

It is true that marriages are made in heaven. But everything falls flat on their butt once a marriage hits the rocks. Every bit of reconciliation fails and divorce seems to be the only way out. If everything – both financial and other aspects - is settled before parting ways, then we can say - all is well that ends well. But if the separation is not so amicable and there is some sourness left somewhere in terms of an unsettled financial debt, things can turn both ugly and complex.

One such difficult situation arises when one of the partners incur a credit card debt, and the credit card debt after divorce assumes the form of a Damocles sword in the form of collection people, constantly nagging either of the ex-spouses to settle the due. The situation is a bit tricky here because whether the person who incurred the debt or the other ex-spouse has the real responsibility of making the payment is still not defined clearly by the law. The situation gets more complex when it comes to joint accounts. But let us see the credit card debt after divorce now.

Credit Card debt after divorce – mostly in joint credit cards – is generally seen by the creditors as the joint responsibility of the couple. Actually the spouse who didn’t incur the amount is not liable to pay, but the credit card company may seek payment from both the parties as they care only about the money due to them. What settlement had been reached after divorce is of little interest to these people.

One may feel that closing out credit card accounts (joint) is a solution to all these problems. If you have a responsible spouse, well this will work. But the fact is that the account does not cancel itself until somebody makes the payment. Also, after divorce, it is legally not practical to divide the debts. Hence these are some practical solution, from best to worst.

- Sell any joint asset (say, home) and pay the debt and close the account. It is a classic example of killing two birds with a stone.

- Separate credit cards can be a better option in such a situation. After applying, get the dues transferred into individual cards, divided according to your own logic or the way you spent.

- In this regard, if one of the spouses is not qualified to get a card, get one of the relatives to cosign the card before transferring the share of balance.

But, rather than being through this ordeal, the best option is to get yourself everything settled before divorce. It is always a pain to go behind all these joint issues when you are about to start a new life. Take Care!

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Credit Card Debt

If you can't sleep at night because of credit card debt worries, you're not alone. Many people get in over their heads charging things they think they can't live without.

You don't need to cut up all of your credit cards. Save your major bank cards, but stop charging needless temptations on them. You need a couple of major bank credit cards to maintain or build strong credit scores.

The credit cards you should cut up, department store credit cards, cost you too much in interest. Plus, these types of credit cards lower your credit scores. When mortgage lenders compute your credit worthiness for real estate financing, they deduct points for unfavorable department store credit lines.

Here are a few things you shouldn't charge on your credit cards:

1. Gasoline. Why charge something that gets burned up before you pay for it? Think about how much per gallon you pay when you pay interest.

2. Food. Many people use their credit cards to purchase groceries that they pay for over the next year or longer. Also, because it's so easy to pay with plastic, they buy extravagant and unneeded items. What's more important--junk food or a good night's sleep?

3. Clothes. Think before you buy clothes on credit. Don't charge clothes on your credit cards unless you can pay them off right away. Children's clothes wear out or they outgrow them before you've paid off the credit card debt.

4. Utilities. Because it's so easy to pay utilities with an automatic credit card charge, many people end up paying for their air conditioning when they're heating their homes. Put your automatic utility payments on your debit card instead.

5. Automatic services. Examine your next credit card statement. Total up items like cable or satellite TV, Internet services, an other automatic monthly charges. Can you pay these charges off each month or are you getting behind?

Make your life easier. Stop charging consumables and monitor your credit card debt. You'll improve your credit scores and sleep well.

Copyright Jeanette J. Fisher

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Pertinent Information About Low Interest Credit Cards

The following article includes pertinent information about low interest credit cards. If you don't have accurate details regarding low Interest credit card, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don't let that happen: keep reading.

If you're not using a low interest credit card, ask yourself why? This credit card have numerous advantages such as the 0% Intro APR (annual percentage rate) that enables the consumer to save on interest expense. Customers who will be using their credit card to make purchases and take cash advance may be better off with a credit card that offers a low fixed interest rate instead of the 0% intro rate. Knowing what the interest rate will be after the promotional period ends is very important to avoid interest rate surprise. The interest rate customers receive after the 0% promotional period usually depends on their FICO or credit score. Customers who have decided to go with the 0% introductory credit card can use the savings derived from paying no interest to pay down the principal and ultimately pay the loan off much sooner.

The main purpose of low interest credit cards is to transfer balance from high interest rate credit cards to interest free cards to save money on interest expense. They are also been used to make large purchases and important to customers who are planning to consolidate credit card loans and carry a balance each month. Banks charge a fee for balance transfers. Since this fee varies from bank to bank, customers should compare offers to find out which banks charge the lowest fees. Customers with excellent credit can request to have the transfer fee waived.

Many banks and credit card companies advertise low interest credit cards that have many features similar to a standard credit card to entice new customers to apply. Similar features may be cash back, rewards, bonus miles, no annual fee and more. Therefore, comparing credit card features is very important because it allows you to find the card that meets your lifestyle and one that will save the most money on interest expense. Paying your entire outstanding credit card balance on time each billing cycle is the only way to avoid paying interest expense.  This may not be financially feasible for many customers due to the fact that they do not have the available funds. Therefore, by using a low interest credit card to make purchases and maintaining a credit card balance will be the next best choice to save money on interest expense.

The amount of interest accrue on your account depends on the interest rate you receive. Individuals with poor credit pay very high finance charges and miscellaneous fees.  This situation keeps them indebted to the credit card companies if no action is taken to improve credit score. However, individuals with excellent credit can apply and get approval for a low interest credit card and avoid the burdensome situation of high interest rates and fees. Credit card companies have the option to change the interest rate on your credit card for various reasons such as making late payment, applying for too much credit, making late payments on different accounts or they can change it without any reason at all. Therefore, understanding credit and how to use it wisely is very important.

Many individuals use a low interest credit card to consolidate credit card debts to save money on interest expense. Consolidation is the process of combining several loans into one loan with a better interest rate to lower your monthly payment. Because consolidation will extend the term of your loan it may increase the total amount of interest payment paid over the life of the loan. Debt consolidation is an excellent opportunity to keep you out of bankruptcy and get your finances back on track. Credit card consolidation will simplify your life by making monthly payments to one creditor instead of multiple creditors.

Learning about grace period as it relates to your specific credit card is very important. The grace period is between 20 to 25 days.  You have this free period to pay no interest if your payment is credited to your account during that time frame and your account carries no balance. Customer’s monthly payment must be received by the creditor during this time frame. Learning about grace period as it relates to your specific credit card is very important. Without a grace period in your credit card agreement you will immediately pay finance charges on new purchases regardless of whether you paid your previous month's bill in full.

The internet is the best source to get information about various credit cards. Customers can compare credit card offers and submit an online credit card application for online approval. Customers with excellent credit can get instant online credit card approval within a few minutes of filling out their online credit card application. Once approved, the customer will receive the credit card in the mail within a few days. This is the fastest and most convenient way to obtain a credit card. Customers should make sure the credit card features fits their lifestyle before submitting an application.

 Using your low interest credit card to make purchases and take cash advance may result in paying a very high rate of interest. This is because some low interest credit cards will offer the 0% intro rate for only balance transfers. Therefore, it is very important to read the fine print to know what transactions will be approved for no interest, low interest or high interest. Not knowing pertinent information about your credit card will defeat the purpose of trying to pay less money for interest expense and getting out of debt.

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Title: Credit Card Reports Questions And Answers

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of the nation's consumer reporting companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the FCRA with respect to consumer reporting companies. Recent amendments to the FCRA expand consumer rights and place additional requirements on consumer reporting companies. Businesses that provide information about consumers to consumer reporting companies and businesses that use credit reports also have new responsibilities under the law.

Here are some questions consumers have asked the FTC about consumer reports and consumer reporting companies, and the answers.

Q. Do I have a right to know what's in my report?
A. You have the right to know what's in your report, but you have to ask for the information. The consumer reporting company must tell you everything in your report, and give you a list of everyone who has requested your report within the past year - or the past two years if the requests were related to employment.

Q. What type of information do consumer reporting companies collect and sell?
A. Consumer reporting companies collect and sell four basic types of information:

    * Identification and employment information: Your name, birth date, Social Security number, employer, and spouse's name are noted routinely. The consumer reporting company also may provide information about your employment history, home ownership, income, and previous address, if a creditor asks.
    * Payment history: Your accounts with different creditors are listed, showing how much credit has been extended and whether you've paid on time. Related events, such as the referral of an overdue account to a collection agency, also may be noted.
    * Inquiries: Consumer reporting companies must maintain a record of all creditors who have asked for your credit history within the past year, and a record of individuals or businesses that have asked for your credit history for employment purposes for the past two years.
    * Public record information: Events that are a matter of public record, such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, or tax liens, may appear in your report.

Q. Is there a charge for my report?
A. Under the Free File Disclosure Rule of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act), each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — is required to provide you with a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months, if you ask for it.

Q: How do I order my free report?
A: The three nationwide consumer reporting companies are using one website, one toll-free telephone number, and one mailing address for consumers to order their free annual report. To order, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. You may order your free annual reports from each of the consumer reporting companies at the same time, or you can order from only one or two. The law allows you to order one free copy from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies every 12 months.

Q: What information do I have to provide to get my free report?
A: You need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. If you have moved in the last two years, you may have to provide your previous address. To maintain the security of your file, each nationwide consumer reporting company may ask you for some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment. Each company may ask you for different information because the information each has in your file may come from different sources.

Q: Are there other situations where I might be eligible for a free report?
A: Under federal law, you're entitled to a free report if a company takes adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance, or employment, and you ask for your report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action. The notice will give you the name, address, and phone number of the consumer reporting company. You're also entitled to one free report a year if you're unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days; if you're on welfare; or if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, including identity theft. Otherwise, any of the three consumer reporting companies may charge you up to $9.50 for another copy of your report within a 12-month period.

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How To Deal With Old Credit Card Accounts

 

So, you’ve been rummaging through your belongings and found a credit card that you signed up for in college. That pizza that they gave you for signing up was pretty good, but it is long gone. Now, your stuck with this card and wondering if you should just cut it up and cancel it or keep it around.

It may not seem like a big decision, but how you handle this and other old credit card accounts can impact your credit score. It may seem foolish, but canceling that account can actually hurt your score. Let’s take a look at how to properly handle old credit card accounts.

View Your Credit Report

You are entitled to a free credit report each year. Visit annualcreditreport.com to do so, as this is the only site that is officially authorized to give free credit reports. Others may do so, but many come with strings attached.

Check the report for credit cards that you may have forgotten about and anything else that you were unaware of. For example, if you have 2 cards in your wallet and 8 cards on your report, you may want to address this situation.
Cancel (Some) Unused Credit Cards

If you have an unused credit card or two out there on your credit report, contact the card provider to cancel all but one of them. If you have a lot of unused cards out there, it is best to cancel them gradually. Doing so over time will help avoid negative attention from creditors.

Even if your unused cards still have a balance, you can cancel them. Ask the provider to close the account to new purchases. This will prevent the temptation to spend more money and will also prevent identity theft.

It is important to keep a few older cards active. While this may seem like nonsense, cancelling an old card may shorten your credit history and adversely affect your credit score.

Finally, after you cancel the cards, check your credit report at the usual time (for example, yearly) to confirm that they have been cancelled.
Things to Avoid

It may be tempting to just cut up your old credit cards and throw them away. However, doing so will not close the account. You should contact the provider to cancel the account.

Also, don’t ignore inaccuracies on your credit report. If you do not agree something or have no clue where that $5,000 balance on your 10 year old card came from, contact the card provider until you are satisfied with the issue. Someone could have stolen your identity or there could have been a simple mistake. Either way, it’s best to investigate it.

After you get your credit card situation cleaned up, be sure to track your card usage in the future. It is rarely a good idea to have old cards out there that you have forgotten about. An identity thief could charge a load of money in your name and leave you holding the bag. It’s best to tie up all loose ends and keep your credit card situation under control.
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