Credit Card Offers

With so many financial burdens currently being placed on American households, it is all too easy to fall victim to credit card debt. Although it can be advantageous to have a large available credit line, there are additional responsibilities that come with the freedom of having multiple credit cards, larger credit lines and a continuous temptation to charge large amounts of money on credit accounts. Studies have shown that individuals with larger credit limits are statistically more likely to succumb to the temptation of making excessive purchases. Thus, it is imperative to find a comfortable medium between having a large credit line and a modest one.

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The majority of credit card offers sent out in the mail today promise a 0% APR (annual percentage rate) introductory period which lasts anywhere from three months to a year, depending on the credit score of the potential applicant, the credit card issuer and the specific terms of the product on offer. Interest-free introductory periods can be used to repay existing outstanding balances without incurring additional interest charges and they can also be used to save money on new purchases.

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At some point, a responsible consumer may find themselves managing multiple lines of credit. These can range from utilities to credit cards and from school loans to home mortgages. Many consumers, however, do not understand the roles that their lines of credit play in influencing their credit scores. Below is a list of facts that consumers should keep in mind when considering how to handle their lines of credit.

• Utilities are as important as credit cards. Bills of any kind, even utilities bills, are as important to a consumer’s credit score as any other line of credit. M

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Contrary to the advice doled out from a lot of personal finance writers, I DO monitor my credit. I have a lot of reasons why, not the least of which is that I want to know as early as possible if my identity is stolen … again. I guess the price of freedom (and peace of mind) is eternal vigilance.

I prefer Equifax ID Patrol to monitor my credit and yes, I pay for it myself! I’ve been a customer for 7 years now. They even let me know GOOD NEWS about my credit file such as a balance decrease. The cost is minimal compared to the aggravation and expense of identity theft and by using Equifax and I get some advantages that a company like LifeLock doesn’t provide such as:

• Alerts within 24 hours of key changes to 3 nationwide credit reports .. eve

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College students often have to face challenges associated with their newfound financial responsibility and establishing a credit score is one such challenge. The credit score is perhaps the most important aspect of a person’s financial situation, affecting everything from job applications to home ownership and vehicle rentals. Fortunately, building good credit is relatively simple for a student with a low limit credit card. The following information should help anyone build a good credit score with minimal effort and risk.

Why Low Limit Credit Cards?

Low limit credit cards are perfect for college students with no credit because they’re easy to gain approval for and they are less of a temptation than cards with higher credit limits. Cre

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Low interest rates are the most common selling point used by credit card companies to solicit new clients. Having a low interest rate is certainly appealing, and preferable to having a high one. However, it’s important to remember that credit card companies primarily generate their profits not only from interest, but also from fees. Thus, if the company is not making a lot of money in one way, they may be compensating with the other, by charging unfair fees. The following are a few  commonly overlooked disadvantages associated with low interest credit cards.

Reading the Fine Print

Checking the card’s terms and conditions is imperative when applying for a card that supposedly offers some of the lowest rates around, because in most cases these amazing rates won’t last forever. While

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